I90 The Ottawa Naturalist. [January 



mainder of plumage pure white ; bill, black ; feet, pale brown; 

 length, 5 inch ; extend, 12 inches. 



A male in full plumage would be as follows : Back and top 

 of the head with a spot on the throat, deep lustrous steel blue, 

 that of the crown and back separated by a greyish nuchal collar, 

 frontlet, white or brownish white; shorter upper tail covert, 

 rufous; chin, throat and sides of head, intense rufous, sometimes 

 purplish Chestnut prolonged around the side of the nape ; under 

 parts dull greyish brown with usually a rufous tinge and dusky 

 shaft lines whitening on the belly ; the under tail coverts, grey, 

 whitish edged and tinged with rufous ; wings and tail, blackish 

 with slight gloss ; bill, black ; feet, brown ; tail, nearly square ; 

 length, 5 inches ; extent, 12 inches. 



One of the earliest notes on this notable swallow is by J. 

 R. Foster, dated 1772. Audubon states he first observed Cliff 

 Swallows in 1 8 1 5. Sir John Franklin found them on his journey 

 from Cumberland House to Fort Enterprise in 1821. Dr. 

 Richardson states that the first appearance of this species at 

 Fort Chippewyan was on June 25th, 1825. Mr. G. A. Boardman 

 states that they were found at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, in 

 1828. Dr. Brewer notes them at Coventry, Vt., in 1837 In 

 1 86 1 a large colony was found breeding on the cliffs of Anti- 

 costi. The swallow tribe is so constantly under observation 

 that it is a wonder more instances of albinism have not been 

 noted. Albinos of the following species have been recorded : 

 Cotyle riparia, in the year 1859 ; Slate-coloured Chimney Swift, in 

 1863 ; Cream-coloured Sand Martin, in 1867; Barn Swallow 

 {Hinindo Horreorum), in 1870; and in Bull. Nutt. Club for 1876, 

 mention is made of albinos of the Purple Martin and Tree 

 Swallow. 



II. White-Throated Sparrow {Zonotrichia albicolHs). — 

 On the Sth of December, 1898, while at Russell, Ont., Mr. Lees 

 observed a specimen of this bird- It seemed in good spirits 

 notwithstanding the lateness of the season. 



