Todd-Carriker: Birds of Santa Marta Region^ Colombia. 19 



ceptibly into the other. The first changes to be noticed are the ap- 

 pearance of certain different species of trees and the disappearance 

 of certain others, accompanied by an increase of epiphytes, mosses, 

 and lichens. Coincident with this there is a gradual diminution in the 

 size of the trees, while the shrubby character of the undergrowth gives 

 way to a low, broad-leaved palm known locally as " cola gallo " 

 (rooster-tail). Entering the Subtropical and ascending through it, we 

 get little or no change in species up to 6,000 feet, but at the latter eleva- 

 tion the species of trees begin to change rapidly. Cedar, alligator- 

 pear, caratillo, and laurel trees disappear entirely, and are replaced by 

 other forms, smaller in size and of decidedly different general appear- 

 ance. The trees are farther apart, while the undergrowth is denser, 

 and with a greater variety, while vari-colored lichens and mosses 

 adorn the trunks and branches of the trees. The epiphytes have 

 dropped down to the trunks of the trees, instead of being confined to 

 the branches, as usual at the lower levels. Ascending still higher, the 

 trees keep gradually diminishing in size; their branches begi.«i nearer 

 the ground; they are more twisted and gnarled, especially where they 

 grow on the exposed ridges ; wild cane of several varieties, resembling 

 bamboo, puts in an appearance, while the epiphytes are now on or 

 near the ground. On the east slopes of the San Lorenzo and the ad- 

 joining Sierra Nevada, where the humidity is much higher, the con- 

 ditions are slightly different : the forest between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, 

 especially on exposed ridges^ is fairly smothered with moss of an olive- 

 brownish color, with filaments from two to six inches in length. 

 Slender shrubs, and branches the size of a man's finger or smaller, will 

 have a solid covering of moss from two to three inches in thickness. 

 Naturally this abundance of moss practically eliminates all lichens 

 and epiphytes, and even tends to stunt the forest growth itself. Under 

 such conditions bird-life is practically non-existent, except in the 

 tree-tops. Conditions like these are to be met with above Las Vegas 

 and on the ridge connecting the Sierra Nevada with the San 

 Lorenzo. On the southeast and east slopes of the latter, between the 

 altitudes of 5,000 and 6,000 feet, are numerous groves of a magnificent 

 palm, much resembling the famous royal palm in every way, except 

 the fruit. This palm was not observed in any other portion of the 

 Nevada, but is probably present along the east slopes at this altitude. 

 In the upper Subtropical Zone of the San Lorenzo there is also to be 



