CHAP. XVIII.] 



BIRDS. 



297 



Sub-family III. Formicakiin.^. — (8 genera, 46 species.) About 

 12 species occur north of Panama, and only 5 south of the Equa- 

 torial district. 



It appears, therefore, that this extensive family is especially 

 characteristic of that part of South America from the Amazon 

 valley northwards. 



Family 46.— PTEROPTOCHID^. (8 Genera, 19 Species.) 



General Distribution. 



Neotropical 



BrB-RE010N3. 



Neabctic 



SlJB-BEGIONS. 



Pal.«arctic 

 Sub-regions. 



Ethiopian 

 sub-reoiono. 



Oriental 

 Sdb-reoions. 



Australian 

 Sub-regions. 



The Pteroptochidae are a group of curious Wren-like birds, 

 almost confined to the temperate regions of South America, 

 extending along the Andes beyond the Equator, and with a few 

 species in South-east Brazil, and one in the valley of the 

 Madeira. The genera are as follows : — 



Scytalopus (8 sp.), Chili and West Patagonia to the Andes of 

 Columbia ; Merulaxis (1 sp.). South-east Brazil ; Bhinocrypta (2 

 sp.), Northern Patagonia and La Plata ; Lioscelis (1 sp.), Madeira 

 valley ; Pteroptochus (2 sp.), Chili ; Hylades (3 sp.), Western 

 Patagonia and Chili; Acropternis (1 sp.), Andes of Ecuador 

 and Columbia ; Triptorhinus (1 sp.), Chili. 



Family 47.— PITTID^. (4 Genera, 40 Species.) 



General Distribution. 



Neotropical 

 Sub-regions. 



Nearctic 

 Sub-regions. 



Pal^arctic 

 Sub-regions. 



Ethiopian 

 Sub-reoioms. 



4 — 2 — 



Oriental 

 Sub-regions. 



1.2.3.4 



Australian 

 Sub-regions. 



1 .2 



The Pittas comprise a number of beautifully-coloured Thrush- 

 like birds, which, although confined to the Old World, are more 

 nearly allied to the South American Pteroptochid^ than to any 

 other family. They are most abundant in the Malay Archipelago, 



