TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 117 



On a Hijbrid or other variety of Perclix cinerea found in Devonshire. 

 By i)r. W. K. Scoxt. 

 The author stated that in the year 1859-(j0 there appeared in the western part 

 of Devonshire a covey of partridges, differing considerably in colour from the 

 common species, Perdix cinerea, many of which were obtained and preserved. In 

 1861-62 a covey of twelve of these birds were observed, differing only from those 

 first seen by some of them having white feathers on their breasts. In 1862-6.3 

 birds of the same description were obtained, so that from the year 1859 to 1863 

 these birds appeared in this district. The plumage of these birds differed from 

 that of the ordinary species by being of a darker and richer brown uniformly spread 

 over the whole body, in having no grey markings, and in the entire absence of the 

 horseshoe on the breast. They had also a black patch on each cheek, extending 

 backwards, with a tendency to form a gorget across the throat. The question was 

 then, What were these birds ? were they sports from the ordinary colour of 

 P. cinerea, or were they hybrids ? In either case they were remarkable ; for if 

 considered as the former, then it was certainly unusual to find a whole brood de- 

 parting at once from the characters of the parents even in colour, while if they 

 were hybrids, they were equally exceptional, as there was no case on record that 

 he was aware of where P. cinerea and P. rufa had paired. For some time this last 

 supposition was inadmissible, since P. rrifa was not found in the west of England ; 

 but on stricter inquiry, it was ascertained that some had been introduced not far 

 from the district where the birds under consideration were found, and that one of 

 these had associated itself with a covey of the P. cinerea. In the eastern counties, 

 where both species are plentiful, no hybridity has ever taken place, and it is stated 

 that P. rufa drives the common bird away. But where both birds were numerous 

 and had a sufficient choice amongst those of their own species, remoter alliances 

 were not so likely to occur as when a single individual or so of one species only 

 existed, and was living with a covey of the others. In either case, however, 

 whether they were hybrids or mere varieties, the author considered them remark- 

 able and deservin": of record. 



On ike Land and Freshwater MoUusea of Nicaragua. 

 Btj Ealph Tate, A.L.S., F.G.S. 



Nicaragua was stated to present two distinct types of soil, vegetation, and cli- 

 mate, and the terrestrial mollusca were found to be restricted to some extent to 

 one or the other of the districts. Of the 55 species of laud and freshwater shells 

 catalogued bj^ the author, the following are new to science : — Tvhennophurus auratus, 

 Limax meridionalis, Helix ccecoicles, II. Blakeann, Tornatellina interstriata, T. 

 hyalina, Planorlns declivis, Unio Tatei. The moUuscan fiiuna of Nicaragua presents 

 no marked fades, and is characterized by the absence of, rather than by the pre- 

 sence of peculiar genera. The geographical position of Nicaragua would lead us 

 to infer that its species would be in common with those of the Mexican province 

 on the one hand, and with those of the Columbian province on the other. This is 

 the case; thus Butimus Berendti, B. uniculor, B. maculatus, B. mimosarum, Ileli.v 

 Parkeri, Planorbis Ficldii, Cyclotus irrcf/idarii, Amnicola Panumensis, Unio Roivelli, 

 SpJueriitm meridionale, and Mycetopnn WeddeUi ally the fauna specifically to that of 

 tropical South America ; and Helix yriseola, Glandina Dysoni, Succinea inflata, 

 Vayiniilus Jloridunus, Planurhis tumidus, Helicina turhinata, and H. deniicidata 

 are more northern forms, which in Nicaragua mingle with those of a more 

 southern origin. Bulimus zehra and Achatina octona are common to Central and 

 South America and the Antilles ; Guppya Gimdlachi and Bulimus costato-striaius 

 are Cuban species. 



The generic alliances are Tehennophoriis with North America, Glandina with Cen- 

 tral America, TornateUina, Var/innhis, and Mycetopus with Tropical South America. 

 The species common to Nicaragua and the neighbouring State, Guatemala, are: — 

 Melania Gassivssi, Bulimus zehra, Achatina octona, Planorbis tumidus, P. kermatoides, 

 Physa purpurostoma, Ancylus e.vcentricus, Helicina Salvini, and H. merdiyeva. 



The land snails of Guatemala, Honduras, Yucatan, and Mexico resemble those 



