CHAP. XIV.] THE NEOTROPICAL REGION. 49 



Islands of the South Temperate Sub-region. 



These are few, and of not much zoological interest. Tierra 

 del Fuego, although really an island, is divided from the main- 

 land by so narrow a channel that it may be considered as 

 forming part of the continent. The guanaco (Auchenia huanaco) 

 ranges over it, and even to small islands further south. 



The Falkland Islands. — These are more important, being- 

 situated about 350 miles to the east of Southern Patagonia ; 

 but the intervening sea is shallow, the 100 fathom line of sound- 

 ings passing outside the islands. We have therefore reason to 

 believe that they have been connected with South America at a 

 not distant epoch ; and in agreement with this view we find most 

 of their productions identical, while the few that are peculiar 

 are closely allied to the forms of the mainland. 



The only indigenous Mammals are a wolf-like fox (Pseu- 

 dalopex antarcticus) said to be found nowhere else, but allied to 

 two other species inhabiting Southern Patagonia ; and a species 

 of mouse, probably one of the American genera Hesperomys or 

 Beithrodon. 



Sixty- seven species of Birds have been obtained in these 

 islands, but only 18 are land-bij'ds ; and even of these 7 are 

 birds of prey, leaving only 11 Passeres. The former are all 

 common South American forms, but one species, Milvago australis, 

 seems peculiar. The 11 Passeres belong to 9 genera, all found on 

 the adjacent mainland. Three, or perhaps four, of the species 

 are however peculiar. These are Phrygilus melanoderus, P. 

 xanthogrammus, Cinclodes antarcticus, and Muscisaxicola maclo- 

 via7ia. The wading and swimming birds are of little interest, 

 except the penguins, which are greatly developed ; no less than 

 eight species being found, five as residents and three as acci- 

 dental visitors. 



No reptiles are known to inhabit these islands. 



Juan Fernandez. — This island is situated in the Pacific Ocean, 

 about 400 miles west of Valparaiso in Chili. It is only a few 

 miles in extent, yet it possesses four land-birds, excluding the 

 powerful Accipitres. These are Turdus falklandicus ; Anceretes 



