Albinism and Melanism in North 
American Birds* Ruthven Deane. 
P. Carolina, in albinistic plumage ii 
Bull. N. 0.0. 1 , April, 1876, p.23 
Albinism and Melanism in North 
American Birds* Ruthven D*-ane, 
The only additional example of melanism which I can add to the 
previous list is represented by the Carolina Rail, for which I am 
indebted to Mr. Gilman W. Brown of West Newbury, Mass., who 
presented me with the specimen. It was one of about sixty of this 
species shot by Mr. Brown on the shores of the Merrimack River 
at West Newbury, September 1, 1877. At a short distance the 
bird looks almost black. The upper parts are black with a tinge of 
rufous, more especially on the scapulars, which are only tipped with 
this color. The throat, sides of the neck, and breast are dull brown, 
belly and under tail-coverts black. There is a white ring around 
each eye, and a small patch of white behind each eye on the 
occiput. 
»*U.N.e.«. 4,Ja»., 1879, p.30 
119. Forzana Carolina. 
Downy stage : chick a few days old. Bill short, exceedingly depressed, 
high at base, rapidly tapering, the tip deflected. The whole body densely 
covered with dull black down, beyond which are produced abundant long, 
glossy, black hair-like filaments. Upon the throat is a tuft of stiff, coarse, 
bristle-like feathers of a bright orange-color. These are directed forward, 
and give the bird a most singular appearance. From a specimen in my 
cabinet collected at Cambridge, Mass., June 24, 1874. This bird, although 
the only specimen of the kind now at hand, is one of a large brood which 
was attended by the female parent. Several of the others were distinctly 
seen and closely examined at the time. All had a similar orange tuft 
upon the throat. 
Notwithstanding the close relationship of this species to the preceding 
one, I am inclined to think that it has no distinctive first plumage, and 
that the down is worn until the feathers of the fall dress begin to appear. 
Negative evidence tending to strengthen this belief is afforded by a good 
number of' specimens shot during the summer months. The autumnal 
plumage is too well known to merit description. The plumage of the 
adult varies but slightly at the different seasons. 
Bull, N, 0.0. 4, Jan, 1879, p V6 ■ 
