CHAP. XVIII.] 
BIRDS. 
2D 7 
Sub-family III. Formicakiiige, — (8 genera, 46 species.) About 
12 species occur north of Panama, and only 5 south of the Equa- 
torial district. 
It appears, therefore, that this extensive family is especially 
characteristic of that part of South America from the Amazon 
valley northwards. 
Family 46.— PTEROPTOCHTD^. (8 Genera, 19 Species.) 
General Distribution. 
Neotropical 
SUB-REGIONS. 
Ne ARCTIC 
SOB-BEGIOUa 
Pat.,® ARCTIC 
Sub-regions. 
Ethiopian 
Sub-regions, 
Oriental 
Sub-regions. 
Australian 
Sub-regions. 
1.2 
The Pteroptochidse are a group of curious Wren-like birds, 
almost confined to the temperate regions of South America, 
extending along the Andes beyond the Equator, and with a few 
species in South-east Brazil, and one in the valley of the 
Madeira. The genera are as follows : — 
Scytalopus (8 sp.), Chili and West Patagonia to the Andes of 
Columbia ; Merulaxis (1 sp.). South-east Brazil ; Bliinocrypta (2 
sp.), Northern Patagonia and La Plata ; Lioscelis (1 sp.), Madeira 
valley ; Pteroptochus (2 sp.), Chili ; Hylactes (3 sp.), Western 
Patagonia and Chili; Acropternis (1 sp.), Andes of Ecuador 
and Columbia ; Triptorhinus (1 sp.), Chili. r 
Family 47. — PITTIGiE. (4 Genera, 40 Species.) 
General Distribution. 
Neotropical 
Sub-regions. 
N EARCTIC 
Sub-regions. 
Pal^earctic 
Sub-regions, 
Ethiopian 
Sub-regions. 
Oriental I 
Sub-regions. 
Australian 
Sub-regions. 
— 
— 
4 
— 2 
1 .2 . 3 . 4 
1.2 
The Pittas comprise a number of beautifully-coloured Thrush- 
like birds, which, although confined to the Old World, are more 
nearly allied to the South American Pteroptochidse than to any 
other family. They are most abundant in the Malay Archipelago, 
