Field Notes. 



359 



of heat. The coloration is confined mainly to the under-parts ; 

 if it extended to the upper-parts in the same degree it would 

 render the bird too conspicuous. The males and females change 

 alike, and in most cases both take part in incubation. 



[A point worthy of note in this connection is that these colour changes 

 coincide with those internal physioloo;ical chang-es which precede the 

 maturation of the sex cells, and these in turn with changes both in kind 

 and quantity of food supply as between .winter, spring, and summer. It 

 would be interesting to follow up the enquiry in order to determine to what 

 extent these are coincident or determining factors. — Eds.] 



FLOWERING PLANTS. 



Botany. — While rambling the Cragg Valley on July 15th, 

 with Mr. Carter, Schoolmaster, we discovered Thalictnim 

 flavxun L., and as there is but one record of this plant in 

 the Calder Valley, Flora of Halifax and Lee's Flora of West 

 Yorkshire, it is one that is worthy of notice. — Arthur Binns, 

 Sowerby, September i8th, 1906. 



BIRDS. 



Albino Carrion Crow (?) in Wliarfedale. — On August 

 loth I saw a large white bird on the slope of Burnsall Fell, 

 which I should have taken to have been an albino Rook. In 

 conversation, however, with the local gamekeeper (a very 

 intelligent man), he informed me that there was a perfectly 

 white Carrion Crow about, and that it was a bird of the year, 

 one of a nest of four, the other three young birds being- in 

 normal plumage. He had endeavoured to shoot it, but on the 

 only occasion that it had been within gunshot he did not happen 

 to have his gun with him. 



1 am reporting this occurrence for two reasons. Firstly, 

 because if it should be an albino Corvus corone, it is of extreme 

 rarity, in fact I have never heard of one before, although single 

 specimens of reddish-fawn, brindled-grey, aud brown and buff 

 have been recorded. Secondly, because this conspicuous bird 

 will probably sooner or later fall a victim to the gun, and it will 

 be interesting to note whether it will remain in Wharfedale, or 

 in what part of the country it will be shot. — H. B. Booth, 

 Spring Royd, Shipley, August 20th, igo6. 



P.S. — This bird has not been seen in Burnsall for a month 

 now. — H. B. B. , September i8th, igo6. 



1906 October i. 



