66 



ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. 



wood ibis, in form at least, 

 seems to represent the glossy 

 ibis, so common in the south of 

 Europe. The herons of Caro- 

 lina and Florida are numerous, 

 and comprise several large and 

 beautiful species. The magni- 

 ficent scarlet ibis, also, is there 

 not uncommon : yet few of 

 these elegant wading birds ex- 

 tend to the northern parts of 

 the United States. Among the 

 ducks and other swimming 

 tribes, there is a general simi- 

 larity in the species to those of 

 Arctic America, two or three 

 only being restricted to the 

 warmer shores of the southern 

 provinces. The chief of these 

 is the splendid Dendronessa 

 sponsa Sw., called there the summer or tree duck of 

 South CaroUna. The canvass-backed duck {Fuligula 



Vallisneria 'Ron., fig. 

 24.) is chiefly found 

 in temperate Ame- 

 rica, and is prized 

 as a delicious food. 

 ^^g Nearly all the rest 

 of the duck tribe 

 occur in the northern regions, which they quit for the 

 United States during severe winters, and return to 

 breed in the spring. America, like Europe, thus pre. 

 sents us with a double migration, and both for the same 

 purposes; namely, to avoid cold, to procure sustenance, 

 and to rear their young. 



(93.) The fish of the Ohio, and the other great rivers, 

 are stated to be peculiarly abundant, both in number and 

 in species ; yet none appear to resemble those of Europe. 

 The famous fishing-banks for cod, on the coast of New- 



