6 6 FEATHERED FRIENDS. 



of the rest of the body and adds a finish to it that is 

 wanting in the person of a mere albino. 



That this bird is not simply a "sport" is, I fancy, 

 evident, for it lacks the red eye that is so distinctive a 

 feature in cases of albinism ; and therefore, however it 

 may have originated, it would appear to be really a 

 distinct variety. 



In regard to its food, and nesting arrangements, the 

 White Java Sparrow is identical with its Grey relative, 

 but it is decidedly more delicate than the latter and 

 cannot be safely left to winter out of doors in this 

 country at least such is my experience; other fanciers 

 may have been more fortunate, but, if so, I am not 

 cognizant of the fact. 



When seen apart, the sexes are not readily differen- 

 tiated from each other ; but if together, the larger size 

 of the male and his habit of dancing before, or rather 

 beside, and " singing" to the female, will enable him 

 to be identified without much difficulty. 



The eggs are white and vary from four to six in num- 

 ber, and incubation lasts from sixteen to seventeen days. 

 When an ordinary Grey Java is paired with a White one, 

 the young will be mottled in various ways, but very rarely 

 will be found to be self-coloured. 



No change of food is necessary while the young are 

 being reared and when these leave the nest they can 

 only be distinguished from their parents by the dark 

 colour of their legs and feet and bill; the sombre tint 



