282 Dr Morton on Hybrid Animals and Plants. 



different species of ducks ; thus a cross has been obtained be- 

 tween the Anas fuligula of Europe, and the European teal 

 (Anas querquedula)* " Selby mentions a male wigeon 

 (Mareca petielope) breeding with a female pintail (Anas 

 acUia), notwithstanding the fact of females of his own spe- 

 cies being kept on the same piece of water." Other crosses 

 have taken place between the pintail and the common mal- 

 lard (Anas boschas) \\ and, in the wild state, between the 

 latter and the dusky duck {A. obscura), of which my friend 

 Mr William Gambel, has seen a specimen in the possession 

 of Mr J. G. Bell of New York, near which city it was shot. 

 A much indre frequent hybfid occurs between the mallard 

 and muscovy duck {A. moschata). 



Mr William R. Clapp informs me that he saw at Rye 

 Pond, in the state of New York, a female wdld duck that had 

 been taken when young and placed in company with the com- 

 mon tame species, and that a fertile hybrid progeny was ob- 

 tained from them. From the description of this wild bird, I 

 suppose it to have teen the Anas rurfitorques. 



Other Hybrid Birds. — Among bird-hybrids it only remains 

 to notice those of Motacilla luguhris and M. alba, as recorded 

 by Temminck, and which possessed colour aiid markings in- 

 termediate between both parents. J A mixed breed has been 

 repeatedly observed in Scotland between the common crow 

 {Gorvus cor one), and the hooded crow (C. comix), and 

 another mixed species between the latter bird and the carrion 

 crow. Finally, a hybrid has been obtained between the 

 throstle (Turdus musicus) and the blackbird {Meriila vul- 

 garis) of Great Britain.§ 



Part III. — Reptiles, Fishes, Melius ca, and Insects. 



Among reptiles, I hdve found but a single authenticated 

 example, that of a cross between the European frog and toad, 

 which are generally distinct. (Bufo and Pdnd.)\\ 



* Prichard. Researches, &c., i., p. 140, from M. Geoffroy St Hilaire. 



t Loudon's Magazine, ix,, p. G15. 



\ Manuel d'Ornithologio, i., p. 254. § Loudon's Maga2ino, ix., p. 615. 



II Brande's Diet, of Science, &c., Art. Hybrid. 



