THE FLORIDIAN FAUNA 31 



fauna), Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Chuck -will's -widow, Nonpareil, 

 Bachman's Sparrow, Boat-tailed Grackle, Yellow-throated Warbler, 

 and Brown-headed Nuthatch. 



The Floridian Fauna. To the three faunas above named may be 

 added the Floridian fauna, a name applied to that part of the Tropical 

 Region which occupies southern Florida as far north as Lake Worth 

 on the Atlantic Coast and the mouth of the Caloosahatchie River on 

 the Gulf Coast, which is approximately the northern limit of cocoanut 

 palms. The species which characterize this fauna are mainly West 

 Indian and a number of them are confined to the Florida Keys. They 

 are the Noddy and Sooty Terns, Great White Heron (Ardea occidentalis) , 

 Reddish Egret, Caracara, Everglade Kite, White-crowned Pigeon, 

 Mangrove Cuckoo, and Black- whiskered Vireo. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR THE STUDENT 



What group of animals is most widely distributed? Mention several 

 wide-ranging species of birds and outline their distribution. Mention 

 several having a restricted range on continental areas. Mention several 

 which are confined to islands. What factors have exerted an influence on 

 the distribution of birds? Illustrate with definite instances. Mention 

 several islands which were formerly connected with continents. Compare 

 their bird-life with that of the adjoining part of the continent from which 

 they have been separated. Describe the probable influence of the Glacial 

 Period on the distribution of the White Pelicans (see beyond, under Migra- 

 tion). Mention other groups of birds which have probably been similarly 

 affected. What are the factors now controlling the distribution of birds? 

 Compare the effect of temperature with that produced by humidity. What 

 is Merriam's Law of Temperature Control? How may altitude and slope 

 exposure influence distribution? Compare political with zoological geog- 

 raphy. How are the boundaries of natural life areas determined? What 

 are the primary life areas of North America? Name and outline the three 

 zones of the Boreal Region and mention several species characteristic of 

 each. Describe the general characters of each zone; topography, climate, 

 forest-growth, etc. Treat in a similar manner the humid portions of the 

 Austral Region, and the Floridian fauna of the Tropical Region, tracing 

 their extent in the map, mentioning some characteristic trees, plants and 

 crops as well as birds, and discussing their general topographic and climatic 

 features in relation to their effect on the distribution of life. 



REFERENCES 



1871. ALLEN, J. A., A Sketch of the Bird Faunae of Eastern North 

 America, Bull. Mus. Comp. ZooL, II, pp. 375-425. 1892. ALLEN, J. A., 

 The Geographical Distribution of North American Mammals, Bull. Am. 

 Mus. Nat. Hist., IV, pp. 199-244; maps. 1892. MERRIAM, C. H., The 

 Geographic Distribution of Life in North America with Special Reference 

 to the Mammalia, Proc. Biql. Soc. Wash., VII, pp. 1-64, one map. 1893. 

 ALLEN, J. A., The Geographical Origin and Distribution of North American 

 Birds Considered in Relation to the Faunal Areas of North America, The 

 Auk, X, pp. 97-150, 2 maps. 1894. MERRIAM, C. H., Laws of Temperature 

 Control of the Geographical Distribution of Terrestrial Animals and Plants, 

 Nat. Geog. Mag., VI, pp. 229-238, 3 maps. 1895. MERRIAM, C. H., The 

 Geographic Distribution of Animals and Plants in North America, Year- 

 book U. S. Dep't of Agriculture, for 1894, pp. 203-214. 1898. MERRIAM, 

 C. H., Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United States, Bull. No. 10, Biolog- 



