362 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



cliffs which defy our local cragsmen ; but I am sorry that at least 

 four female Peregrines were destroyed in the parish after the 

 breeding season was far advanced. Besides Peregrines I saw a 

 Hen Harrier on the wing, sailing over Waterstein. Merlins, 

 Kestrels, and Sparrowhawks were breeding in the parish, though 

 I do not think we have ever any merlin nests on our ground. 

 A single Common Buzzard was seen at Orbost in the middle of 

 May last. 



In making the foregoing observations, I have included in the 

 ground under consideration the whole parish of Durinish, the 

 north-west portion of Skye, which I trust I may be able to work 

 out more fully later on. 



THE LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA IN THE 

 VICINITY OF OXFORD. 



By S. Spencer Pearce, B.A. 



(Concluded from p. 331.) 



TERRESTRIAL MOLLUSCA. 



Fam. I. LiMACiDa:. 



Avion ater, Linn. — Common in damp places. The species of 

 this genus are to be found very early in the spring. A handsome 

 dark brown variety is often taken in the Kimmeridge clay-pits 

 of Shotover Hill, on the west side, and under rotting wood in 

 Wick Copse. 



A.flavus, Miiller. — Rather rare; amongst dead leaves, espe- 

 cially those of the beech, in a wood on Wytham Hill (Feb. 1881) ; 

 under decaying wood near Wick Copse. Mr. Whiteaves records 

 it from Watlington. This species is somewhat difficult to dis- 

 tinguish from some of the yellow varieties of Arion hortensis ; it 

 seems, however, to be best separated from that species by the 

 following points: — (1). In the shape of the body and foot when 

 fullj r extended, which is more slender and tapering towards the 

 tail. (2). In the position of the respiratory orifice, which is more 

 centrally situated with respect to the shield. (3). In the colour 

 of the animal, the tentacles always being black-purple or violet- 

 brown ; the ground-colour of the body being a pale blue-grey hue, 

 nearly obscured by the prevailing yellow colour, which becomes — 



