Albino Eggs of the House Finch (Carpodacus Mexicanus Frontalis)
Albino Eggs of the House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis)
Unspotted eggs of this species are, as is well known, not uncommon; but I believe that deficiency of pigment in the ground color is comparatively rare. Nevertheless it has been my good fortune to find this season (1908) two sets which, compared with normal specimens, might fairly be called “white”, tho when placed beside the eggs of a woodpecker, for example, a very faint bluish tinge is perceptible.
The first set (No. 3258, Coll. T. W. R.) was taken, perfectly fresh, at Coronado Beach, Cal., April 17. The nest was found before completion, and as I passed it daily for some time both birds were frequently observed on or about it; identity is therefore beyond doubt. The four eggs are of normal size and shape and against anything but a dead white background appear absolutely colorless.
My second set was found near Bangle, Los Angeles County, Cal., April 24; female flushed and both parents remained in vicinity. I had made it a point to examine all nests of this species since taking my first one, but this one was difficult to reach in a slender sapling and three of the eggs fell out. However, I saw them clearly in the nest and examined the fragments after the catastrophe, and am positive they were all precisely like the fourth specimen which I still possess as a sad memento of my carelessness. This set was unspotted like the first, but the bluish tinge is a little more apparent.
