Pe eee 
eS S 
j 
: 










BIRDS OF PALESTINE AND PANAMA COMPARED. 355 
that of another region, where varied surface and temperature 
offer even greater opportunity for variety within quite as 
restricted an area. 
One of our early lessons that has to be unlearned is to the 
effect, that North and South America are separated by the 
Isthmus of Darien. This is in consequence of our natural 
later inquiry, Does this close approach of the two mighty 
oceans restrict the distribution of organized beings from re- 
gion to region, or is it but a passage-way for the multitudes 
of the one side, into the far domains of the other? We can 
ask farther: Can such a narrow area support a variety of 
active existences? And again, in the cosmical view, Where 
in the scale of time’s revelations do these beings stand? are 
they developments of the latest and newest creation? or have 
yany kin among those that are passing away? 
The opening of the Aspinwall and Panama Railway has 
given us many a view into this forest-covered mountainous 
region. The vigor of the vegetable world presents a bar- 
tier to extended examination, little seen in more northern 
climes ; hence less will meet the eye of the passing traveller 
than in a trip over an equal stretch of highway in the United 
States or Europe. 
To those persons who with knife in hand have hewn their 
way through the Agaves that transfix the flesh, and the creep- 
ers that trip the feet, a world of life has been found ; and 
this restricted region has been ascertained to abound with 
the forms which one would only expect to gather ina favored 
Spot of some great continent. That nature can long hide 
from the eye of man will be evident, in view of the fact, that 
a beast related to the 
0 
he of America’s largest mammals, 
months. 
Common tapir, has only come to light within a few 
i allude to the Tapirus Bairdii. i 
The bird-fauna has been found by Messrs. Sclater an 
Salvin to embrace about 385 species, which is sixty-three 
stine, which is 
re than were mentioned to occur in Pale 
Of these but 
pen on three sides to the great continent. 
