236 



CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



of birds "which have as much right to be considered 

 typically Nearctic as Paliearctic:" * 



Mr. Wallace's list of typical Nearctic genera of land 

 birds consists chiefly of Boreal forms. This is to be ac- 

 counted for by the fact that the Boreal area contains the 

 most primitive Neotropical birds and consequently the 

 most typical genera. The list is as follows: 



Taking these two lists as a whole, it is surprising what 

 a lack of brilliant and diversified color they present. 

 There are some notable exceptions, to be sure, but they 

 are very few. Regulus is adorned with a coronet of 

 flame or scarlet, Ampelis from the far north displays its 

 beautifully varied, although not gaudy, attire; Sialia 

 tries to appear unassuming in luxurious blue; Oporornis, 



Geographical Distribution of Animals, ii, p. 119. 



