88 GEOGEAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



partaking of their habits, but probably more closely related to the 

 ■woodpeckers, are found in almost all parts of the region. The 

 fly-catchers, warblers (Sylviadae), true finches (Fringillida:), and 

 weaver-birds (Ploceidae) are numerically well represented, more 

 especially the last, of whose two hundred and fifty, or more, species 

 about two hundred are found within the limits of this region. This 

 family comprises, among other birds, the small speckled and red- 

 billed finches, known as the estrilds and amadines, the tailor-bird 

 (Textor), the true weavers (Ploceus and Symplectes), and the long- 

 tailed whydahs (Vidua), from the west coast. The parrots are but 

 feebly represented in the Ethiopian region, the macaws and cocka- 

 toos (Conurinae and Cacatuidae) being wholly wanting. With very 

 few exceptions — Palisornis — all the African parrots belong to the 

 group of the Psittacini, of which the common grey parrot (Psittacus 

 erithacus) is a familiar example. No species is found to the north 

 of the fifteenth parallel of north latitude. Of the gallinaceous birds 

 there is a marked representation of the grouse tribe, especially of the 

 genus Francolinus, and among the pheasants we have all the species 

 of guinea-fowls (Numidinae), whose nearest allies appear to be the 

 American turkeys. Birds of prey are very abundant, comprising, 

 in addition to the common forms of vultures, eagles, &c., the hawk- 

 like bird known as the " secretary " (Serpentarius), a near ally of 

 the South American cariama. Knally, the Ethiopian region pos- 

 sesses, although not exclusively, the ostriches (Struthio camelus, 

 the common form, and S. molybdophanes, from the Somali ter- 

 ritory), of the family Struthionidae. 



The reptile-fauna is very rich and varied, and comprises a con- 

 siderable number of peculiar forms. Of Ophidia we have a large 

 development of the vipers (Viperidae), and among these one of the 

 deadliest of venomous serpents, the puflE-adder (Clotho). Of the 

 larger constrictors, the rock-snake (Hortulia) and Seba's python 

 represent the Pythonidse. The lizards comprise, among other sin- 

 gular forms, the Agama, the typical Old World representative of 

 the American iguanas, and the chameleon, with its distinctive 

 changing hues. Crocodiles are met with in nearly all the larger 

 streams. 



The fresh-water fishes of the African realm are limited, accord- 

 ing to Giinther, to somewhat more than two hundred and fifty 

 species, representing fifteen distinct families or groups. About 



