118 GENEKAL EVOLUTION. 



eagles appear to be all common, among them the most magnificent 

 birds of prey, the imperial and golden species of these creatures. 



To the ornithologist, acquainted with the fauna of North 

 America, it will thus be readily perceived that, in comparison, the 

 ornis just examined, possesses more numerous representatives of 

 the higher groups of the birds, and among lower groups possesses 

 chiefly those of superior grade, or lacks them altogether. Let us, 

 however, compare it with that of Central America, where varied 

 surface and temperature offer even greater opportunity for variety, 

 within quite as restricted an area. 



The bird fauna has been found by Messrs. Sclater and Salvia 

 to embrace about three hundred and eighty-five species, which is 

 sixty-three more than were mentioned to occur in Palestine, which 

 is open on three sides to the great continent. Eighty of three 

 hundred and forty-eight land birds are characteristic of Central 

 America ; and those which find their kin limited to the Isthmus 

 and adjoining regions of New Grenada and Equador amount to 

 about seventy-five more. Twenty-seven is the number not known 

 to extend beyond the boundaries of Palestine ; as to the Middle 

 States of our Union, not one species has been shown to be restricted 

 within such narrow limits. 



A single species occurs in Europe ; this is the fish-hawk, an 

 animal which combines the cosmopolite habit of the sea-bird with 

 the powerful flight of the bird of prey. This is also the only sj^e- 

 cies common to the Panama and Palestine catalogues. 



The birds of prey are numerous — twenty-nine species. Among 

 these there is no true eagle or falcon, and of the nineteen genera 

 but four belong to the fauna of the Holy Land. There is but one 

 species to represent the great grouse family, but, instead, three 

 families of their South American imitators, the Pullastrse, instead 

 of the one — that of the Pigeons — slimly represented in Palestine, 

 and in North America as well. 



Coming to the closer test of superiority, the Passeres — those 

 delicate creatures, apparently so dependent on those laws which 

 govern increase and provision, and so affected by the changes that 

 man works in the face of Nature — what do we find ? We count 

 one hundred and six distinct species. There are none in Pales- 

 tine. Of songsters, the Oscines, ninety-six species, await man's 

 conquest of the wilderness, to increase in numbers and to display 

 their gifts, while Palestine rejoices in a whole army of them. But 

 the contrast is more remarkable if we analyze these forms. Of the 



