CHAP. XVIII.] 



BIRDS. 



297 



Sub-family III. FORMICARIES, (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. PTEROPTOCHIDJE. (8 Genera, 19 Species.) 

 GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



The Pteroptochidse 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 ; Rhinocrypta (2 

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

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

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

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



FAMILY 47. PITTID^E. (4 Genera, 40 Species.) 

 GENERAL DISTRIBUTION. 



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 Pteroptochidse than to any 

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



