INTRODUCTION. 



Various kmds of Birds. 



The Condor seldom forsakes the Cordilleras of Mexico, and the Andes, though he is some- 

 times found in the Rocky Mountains. Vultures, whose office it is to prevent contagion, by 

 removing animal remains in hot countries, abound in tropical climates. The bird of paradise 

 is found only in New Guinea and the adjacent regions. Parrots and paroquets are natives of 

 warm latitudes. The ostrich is found only in Africa and Arabia. The cassowarj^ is found 

 only in Java and the Asiatic Islands ; the emeu in New Holland. The rhea, sometimes called 

 the ostrich, is found in the southern part of South America. It is remarkable, that nearly 

 all the land birds of America are of different species from those of the other continent : about 

 80 species of Vv'ater birds common to the United States, are also found in Europe. 



Among the quadrupeds which are distributed nearly over the surface of the earth, we may 

 mention the dog, cow, sheep, goat, horse, ass, pig, and cat, in a domestic state ; in a wild 

 state, the fox, bear, hare, rabbit, stag, deer, squirrel, rat, mouse, and ermine. The dog, the 

 faithful companion of man, has followed him into every climate. In many countries, he is the 

 only domestic animal, and supplies the place of the horse and ox. Touard the equator, as 

 well as at the pole, he loses his voice, and his barking degenerates into a kind of growling noise. 



Among quadrupeds confined to the cold parts of the northern hemisphere, we may enumer- 

 ate the reindeer, musk ox, white bear, polar fox, otter, beaver, martin, and 13'nx. The camel 

 with two humps, lives as far north as the 52d degree of north latitude, and seems to have been 

 brought originally from Bactriana, or Great Bucharia, in Asia. The camel with one hump, or 

 the dromedary, appears to have come from Arabia and Africa, and is used in those countries, 

 and generally in the southern parts of Asia. The chamois prefers the mountains of the tem- 

 perate zone. There are various kinds of antelopes, some of which remain in warm, and others 

 in cold regions. The hyena and jackal live near the equator. Most of the quadrupeds of 

 America are peculiar species, not found in the other continent. 



Among the animals confined to tropical countries, we may notice apes, monkeys, and baboons. 

 The giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, and rhinoceros, belong to the warm regions of Africa. The 

 elephants of Asia and Africa are different races. Those of Africa do not advance further 

 north than the 20th degree of north latitude. The Asiatic elephant inhabits only India, China 

 as far north as the 30th degree, and some of the Asiatic Islands, to which it has been trans- 

 ported by man. Afiica has always been the most celebrated countiy for lions. They are 

 found in nearly all parts of it. Those which rove in the burning plains south of the Atlas 

 Mountains, are distinguished for strength and fierceness. The hons of Asia are inferior to 

 those of Africa. They are also less abundant, and seem only to be found in the deserts of 

 Arabia, in Hindostan, and perhaps in some of the Asiatic islands. 



The royal tiger, which is the largest species, is confined to Hindostan, the Birman empire, 

 and the islands of Ceylon and Sumatra. The true tiger is not found in Africa. The panther 

 and leopard are found in Africa alone. 



