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wolf extends throughout tho northern hemisphere ; the same may he 

 said of the fox, tho ermine, and, perhaps, of the beaver. It is not 

 improbable that our buffalo [Boa amcricanns) is a variety only of the B. 

 bison of the Old World, and that the grizzly bear ( Uraua horrihilis) bears 

 the same relation to tho European brown bear {U. arcton). There are 

 also certain corresponding or representative species ; thus, our red fox 

 {Vuli)e8f ulcus) is nearly related to the European fox (V. vulgaris), and 

 the red squirrel {sciurus hudsonicns) to the 8. vulgaris of Europe. The 

 elk and moose {Cervus canadensis and Alces americamis) respectively 

 answer to the C. claphus and Alces eiiropaeus. 



The majority of American deer belong to a peculiar group {Cariaciis) 

 mainly characteristic of the Nearctic realm ; while the species of the 

 orders Bodentia aud Insectivora are mostly of characteristically uistinct 

 species or higher groups. 



Among birds, similar relations prevail. The singing-birds are tbe 

 most characteristic of any continent, and here we And in North Americii 

 the greatest number of species, genera, and families of birds which 

 differ from those of the Old World. Of the latter, true thrushes, swal- 

 lows, shrikes, and crows occur, but iu limited numbers ; while the genera 

 of finches are mostly distinct, and the vireos, tanagers, wood- warblers, 

 Icteridae, and mock-thrushes, which form the bulk of our avifauna, do 

 not exist in the Old World. On the other hand, starlings, flycatchers, 

 and warblers are absent from North America. 



As wo direct our observation to birds of extended flight, as the 

 Accijntrcs and water-birds, cases of identity of species of opposite con- 

 tinents become more frequent. This is mostly confined here, also, to 

 the northern regions. The marsh-hawk {Circus cyancus), peregrine 

 falcon, fish-bawk, and golden eagle are exami)les among Falconidae. 

 Among owls, the cases are still more numerous} such are liyctca nivca, 

 Surnia uhila, Otus hracliyotus, Strix Jlammea. Some of these present 

 geographical varieties. Corresponding species are common here, e. <j.> 

 the American — 



Ualiadtiis leucocepkalus to //. albicilla of Europe ; 

 Bitteo sicainsonii to B. vulgaris ; 

 Falco sparverius to F. tinmmcuhis ; 

 Falco columharius to F. aesalon; 

 Bubo virginianus to B. maximus ; 

 Otus vilsonianus to 0. vulgaris ; ^ 



etc., etc. 



