Albinism in the Bohemian Waxwing. — On the morning of 
November 17, 1879, 1 shot a female Bohemian Waxwing ( Ampelis garrula), 
which presented a lighter appearance than the rest of the flock; and 
when picked up I discovered that it was an albino. The description of 
this bird is as follows : — While the color of the ordinary Bohemian 
Waxwings varies some in different birds, in this specimen it is fully two 
shades lighter all over the body. The chestnut of the under tail-coverts, 
the orange-brown of the front and sides of the head, are the same as in 
ordinary specimens ; but the velvety-black of the chin and the narrow 
line extending across the forehead and along the sides of the head, through 
the eyes, meeting on the occiput behind the crest, are in this specimen a 
dusky black. The very dark gray of the primaries, secondaries, and 
primary wing-coverts of the ordinary bird, is in this albino grayish-white, 
edged with brownish-ash ; the yellow (or white) stripe at the end of outer 
webs of the primaries is the same ; but directly opposite this, on the inner 
webs, is a triangular spot of pure white. The white tip on the outer 
webs of the secondaries is much larger than usual, and the secondaries 
are wax-tipped. The greater wing-coverts are pure white, delicately 
edged with brownish-ash, and broadly tipped with the same. This patch 
of white is very conspicuous, owing to its size. The yellow band on the 
tip of the tail is more of a lemon-color, and has not that distinct dividing 
line which is usual, but rather fades into the grayish-white of the tail- 
feathers. The tail-feathers above the yellow band are broadly edged on 
both webs with brownish-ash. The quills of the primaries, secondaries, 
the primary and greater wing-coverts, and the tail-feathers, are very dark 
gray; while the pure white patch on the sides of the under jaw, and the 
delicate crescent of white on the under eyelid, are the same as usual. 
Bill and feet normal. The peculiar markings of this specimen form a very 
beautiful bird, and, as it has been remarked, “ give it a frosty appear- 
ance.” — W. L. Walford, Minneapolis, Minn. 
Bull. N.O.G. 5, July. 1880, p, / & 3 - Y 
Bohemian Waxwing ( Ampelis garrulus.) 
Took two (2) specimens yesterday (Jan. 
30th) from a flock of seventy or eighty on 
Clear Creek. These are the first I have 
seen here. These birds agree with Dr. 
Elliott Cones’ description, with one excep- 
tion, and that is in regard to the white on 
the under eyelid as in the Cedar Bird 
(A. cedrorum.) Yet these birds are un- 
doubtedly garrulous. I do not like to 
differ from such an ornithologist as the 
Doctor, but I will give my description and 
can show the specimen. Under tail cov- 
erts, chestnut; front and side of head, 
orange-brown color; primary wing cov- 
erts, tipped with white ; wings, with yel- 
low and white at outer web ; chin, black ; 
small black line across forehead and run- 
ning through eyes meets on back of head, 
just back of the crest ; bill and feet, black ; 
tail, tipped with yellow ; white on under 
eyelid, but none across forehead ; 7.9 in. 
long ; wing, 4.2 in. This bird generally 
retires south, but is occasionally seen dur- 
ing an open winter in large flocks. The 
prettiest thing about this bird is its curi- 
ous appendages on the inner quills of the 
wing, which resemble red wax. Al- 
though not a singer, it has a very pleasant 
note when heard in winter. 1 have never 
yet found signs of insect food in the 
stomach of these birds, and I am inclined 
to think they feed entirely on berries and 
seeds . — Charles F. Morrison, Ft. McKin- 
ney, Wyoming. Q.&G. YX.. Apt. 1884. p. w 
