ORNITHOLOGY OF QUITO. 
America, to collect birds for commerce,* whence we may expect 
that some species may not yet have found their way into the col- 
lections of this country. 
D’Orbigny, who bestowed much attention during liis travels to 
the subject of geographical distribution, has made some interesting 
observations upon the range of latitude and elevation in his pre- 
fatory remarks on the “ Passereaux.” 
The number of species belonging to this order which he met with 
was 395 ; and for the distribution of these he divides the southern 
continent of America, from the 11° south, from whence his travels 
extended, into three zones of latitude, and three zones of elevation 
above the sea level, and considers, that between the Tropic of 
Capricorn and the Line, the zones of elevation correspond with the 
zones of latitude. These zones are — I., from the 11° to 28 ° south 
—II., 28° to 34° — III., 34° to 45°;— and I. from 0 to 5000 feet 
—II., 5000 to 11,000— III., above 11,000. 
The first zone of latitude exhibits the greatest variation in its 
physical characters ; vegetation is displayed in all its richest luxu- 
riance, variety and grandeur, and there is an immense exuberance 
of insect life. The proportion of the number of species here is 
very great, no less than 240, 51 of which are also common to the 
mountain region, not exceeding 5000 in elevation, whence 189 
species remain as properly belonging to the plains of this first zone. 
In the second zone of latitude, 72 species only were found exhi- 
biting a very marked diminution towards the south. There are no 
longer found the dense forests or plains so varied in their vegeta- 
tion ; the country assumes a more uniform aspect, and the dimi- 
nution of food of all kinds is the consequence. Of these 72 species, 
29 are common to about the 15° of latitude, and to the mountains 
vaiying from 5000 to 11,000, which, from their temperature and 
its influence on vegetation, arc considered to correspond; and thus 
it results, that only 43 species properly belong to this second zone 
of latitude. 
In the third zone the species continue to decrease, and amount to 
a*? v K lCi “ it ^ ® f Rio de Jan eiro, the collection of birds is a regular trade. 
Travels, mentions a, Mr. Besecke, « a trader in 
had at thp f ^ *’* ves employment to above thirty huntsmen, and 
chief LZL Ti °J \? rinCe ’ S visit > 35 >°° 0 on his shelves, which formed his 
chief a rticle ot trade.- II. p. 23, S chomburglc and Taylor's Translation. 
