133 
partly accounted for by the great variety of the elevations at which 
they are procured; the species belonging to one elevation in these 
countries being totally distinct from those of another. 
The city of Bogota itself is situated at a height of more than 8900 
feet above the sea-level, on a plateau on the western face of the 
eastern chain of the Andes of New Grenada, and it is not likely 
therefore that any great number of the birds brought to Europe as 
Bogota skins are obtained in its immediate neighbourhood. The 
animals that inhabit those higher ranges are doubtless quite different 
from those of the regions beneath, and it is probably in the hot 
tropical valleys of the Upper Magdalena and its affluents that the 
largest proportion of what are commonly called ‘ Bogota’ birds are 
found. 
Nevertheless, as Schomburgk only mentions 420 species of birds 
in his Zoology of Guiana, Prince Maximilian only 362 as found in 
South-east Brazil, Tschudi only 460 as occurring in Peru, and Azara 
448 species in the fauna of Paraguay, it is somewhat remarkable that 
from so limited a district a list in many respects so deficient should 
coutain as many as 435 species, and it would seem without doubt to 
indicate that this region is extraordinarily rich in ornithic life. 
The ornithology of this country, taken as a whole, may be pro- 
nounced quite distinct from that of Guiana or Brazil. Of course there 
are some species common to all parts of the South American conti- 
nent ; but looking at the Passeres included in this list, a very large 
proportion of them are as yet only known to occur in collections 
from this spot. A good many New Grenadian species, however, are 
likewise found on the upper branches of the Amazon, in Ecuador, 
and East Peru, and some are identical with those met with by 
D’Orbigny in Bolivia. It is in this direction (as M. de Lafresnaye 
has pointed out*) that the zoological province to which this part 
of New Grenada belongs seems rather to extend itself. A few 
Mexican and Central American forms are likewise present, as might 
be expected, and among these may be noticed as many as ten+ or 
twelve species that are well-known inhabitants of the United States. 
Until we are better acquainted with the whole subject, it is hazardous 
to draw conclusions as to the comparative abundance or absence of 
particular families or genera in New Grenadian ornithology. It may 
be safely said, however, that the Tanagers and Humming-birds are 
nowhere more numerous. Of the former, no less than eighty-six 
out of a whole of 230 or thereabouts, occur in collections from these 
parts, and my list, though incomplete, contains the names of forty- 
nine species of Humming-birds. 
* Rey. Zool. 1845, p. 111. 
+ Namely— 
Mniotiila varia. Setophaga ruticilla. 
Helmitheros chrysopterus. Hedymeles ludovicianus. 
Rhimamphus estivus. Pyranga estiva. 
“; striatus. » rubra. 
5 blackburnie. Vireosylvia olivacea ? 
Myiodioctes canadensis. ) virescens ? 
