NOTES AND QUERIES. 14 1 



Donegal : Kinnegar strand, Kathmullan, Lough Swilly, but very 

 scarce. 



S. turtoni, Turton. — Dublin : Portmarnock. 



Aclis unica, Montagu. — Dublin : Portmarnock strand, opposite 

 Baldoyle. 



Odostomia. — I have not ventured to determine the minute 

 species of this complicated genus. 0. plicata occurs at Port- 

 marnock, and I have found some at Inch Island in Lough Swilly. 

 But they seem to be very scarce in the northern waters, as 

 compared with Dublin Bay. 



(To be continued.) 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



Albinism in Birds and Mammals. — Adverting to my note in ' The 

 Zoologist' of last year (p. 358), on the subject of the colour of the iris in 

 albino birds, I have delayed replying to my critics until after the Bird Show 

 at the Crystal Palace ; this has now taken place, and I trust you will allow 

 me to renew the discussion. I am very much obliged to all those who have 

 kindly assisted me in furnishing information on the subject, both in print 

 and in private communications, and especially to Mr. Edgar R. Waite, who 

 has evidently taken considerable trouble in the matter. To those who hold 

 the view that unless an animal has pink eyes it is not an albino, it is useless 

 for me to bring forward any arguments ; but I notice that Mr. Aplin appears 

 to admit the probability of some albinos having other than pink irides, by 

 using the words " almost always " in his communication (Zool. 1891, p. 426). 

 The Greenfinch and two Budgerigars, mentioned by Mr. Verrall as having 

 pink eyes, were certainly not albinos. I have a perfect recollection of having 

 seen the three birds in question, and they were what I should term xanthous 

 varieties. It is clear also that there is a difference of view as to what 

 constitutes a pink eye. Mr. Verrall, whose opinion I value highly, states 

 that there were no true albinos exhibited at the last Crystal Palace Cage- 

 bird Show, and Mr. William Ingram states of albinos he bought " one 

 Blackbird and a Hedgesparrow at that show " (I. c. p. 426). The following 

 albino birds were exhibited at the Crystal Palace Show which was held at 

 the end of February and beginning of March last: — a pure white Black- 

 bird; legs pink; eyes the colour of a dark carbuucle in the pupil; iris 

 slightly blue. A pure white Starling ; legs and beak pink ; eyes dark. 

 A pure white Jackdaw ; legs pink ; beak with a very slight dark streak ; 

 eyes blue. Six Java Sparrows, all as white as snow ; legs and beaks pink : 

 eyes of the normal dark colour. Four white Doves, Turtur risorius, 



