A White Swallow.—Albinism in Birds

Abstract

BY the side of a steep sand-cliff overhanging a stream—the Cambeck, in Cumberland—I lately saw, on a glorious summer afternoon, a white swallow flying about with many other birds of the same species. A most beautiful bird it was; perfectly snow white, with perhaps a slight tinge of blueish grey near the roots of the tail-feathers. In size it seemed to be rather smaller than the swallows around it; but in its flight and pursuit of insects there was no noticeable difference. From my position at the top of the cliff I could often see the bird within a very few yards of me.