THE FEATHERS. 69 



exclusive of these, which may be called natural variations, 

 there are occasional departures from the usual rule of an 

 unnatural character. Thus Blackbirds are not unfrequently 

 found very considerably mottled with white. Woodcocks are 

 now and then shot, of a delicate and uniform fawn colour. 

 We have also seen white Swallows, and a few other small 

 birds ; and amongst Crows and Rooks, one or two inter- 

 lopers may be occasionally observed, with more or less white 

 feathers peeping out from their glossy wings. Closer obser- 

 vations may probably throw additional light upon this 

 singular peculiarity, and we suspect that it will be generally 

 found that it extends through several generations of birds 

 reared by the same pair. In one instance we know, indeed, 

 that this was the case. A pair of Rooks were in the habit 

 of building in a wild spot near Ruthin, where there were 

 few trees affording shelter for others. The attention of the 

 tenant on the farm was soon attracted by the singular 

 appearance of two white young ones, and, to his surprise, for 

 three or four years, the same phenomenon occurred, two white 

 Rooks being the invariable and sole nursery establishment 

 of this solitary sable pair of old birds. This year (1837) the 

 young ones were taken and reared. A change of plumage 

 has also been observed to take place occasionally by limiting 

 the bird to a particular sort of food ; thus bird-catchers say, 

 that by the use of hemp-seed, Bullfinches and some other 

 kinds of birds will frequently assume a darker colour. Fright, 

 again, (as in the case of human beings, whose hair has been 

 known to change under great excitement or alarm,) it is said, 

 will produce similar effects on birds ; in proof of which, we 

 have been assured on the authority of a friend, that a Bull- 

 finch in his possession turned black in a few hours after 

 having been terrified by the approach and attack of a cat upon 

 its cage. 



