MOLLUSKS. 121 



As we pushed our boat in among the reeds bordering 

 the island, a great commotion was created in the water, and 

 a number of these snakes were seen to swim away. The 

 boat was securely fastened to the shore, and we started to 

 explore this small island. This was of but small extent, 

 containing less than half an acre; it was once used as a 

 place of worship, and the remains of a church could still be 

 seen. It was covered with low bushes and cacti; among the 

 roots of the cacti I found several dead shells of Glandinay 

 and from the rocks bordering the lake I picked several 

 shells, but not a living thing was to be found on the island 

 except the snakes, shells, and a single lizard, which was 

 seen running up the trunk of a tree. 



Among the shells found in the lake were many speci- 



tmens of Physa osculans (this proved 

 to be a new variety and was named 

 var. Patzcuare7isis by Mr. H. A. 

 Pilsbry), a handsome little Valvata 



PHYSA f -1/ 1 T\ J 1 r PLAXORBIS 



OSCULANS. (. ^' numeralis) and a number of tenuis. 

 specimens of Planorbis tenuis, Phil., var. Boucardi, C. & F. 

 On our return I shot a handsome specimen of the White- 

 faced Glossy Ibis [Piegades guarauna),diV\.d an American Coot. 

 But a single day was spent in Patzcuaro, where we se- 

 cured horses and a mozo, or servant, and started on our 

 journey to the volcano of JoruUo. We left Patzcuaro early 

 in the morning, by a steep path which led into a dusty 

 road. For several miles the road was over a rolling 

 country, well under cultivation. About fifteen miles from 

 Patzcuaro I shot a couple of birds, whose habits resembled 

 those of the robin. They were the Chamaeospiza torquata, 

 a somewhat rare and very interesting bird. It very much 

 resembles a tanager, and was at one time described as such 

 by no less an authority than Mr. Lawrence (Am. Lye, 

 N. Y., viii, 126). 



