THE FLORIDIAN FAUNA 
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fauna), Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Chuck -will’s -widow, Nonpareil, 
Bachman’s Sparrow, Boat-tailed Grackle, Yellow-throated Warbler, 
and Brown-headed Nuthatch. 
The Floridian Fauna . — To the three faunas above named may be 
added the Floridian fauna, a name applied to that part of the Tropical 
Region which occupies southern Florida as far north as Lake Worth 
on the Atlantic Coast and the mouth of the Caloosahatchie River on 
the Gulf Coast, which is approximately the northern limit of cocoanut 
palms. The species which characterize this fauna are mainly West 
Indian and a number of them are confined to the Florida Keys. They 
are the Noddy and Sooty Terns, Great White Heron (Ardea occidentals), 
Reddish Egret, Caracara, Everglade Kite, White-crowned Pigeon, 
Mangrove Cuckoo, and Black- whiskered Vireo. 
Suggestions for the Student 
What group of animals is most widely distributed? Mention several 
wide-ranging species of birds and outline their distribution. Mention 
several having a restricted range on continental areas. Mention several 
which are confined to islands. What factors have exerted an influence on 
the distribution of birds? Illustrate with definite instances. Mention 
several islands which were formerly connected with continents. Compare 
their bird-life with that of the adjoining part of the continent from which 
they have been separated. Describe the probable influence of the Glacial 
Period on the distribution of the White Pelicans (see beyond, under Migra- 
tion). Mention other groups of birds which have probably been similarly 
affected. What are the factors now controlling the distribution of birds? 
Compare the effect of temperature with that produced by humidity. What 
is Merriam’s Law of Temperature Control? How may altitude and slope 
exposure influence distribution? Compare political with zoological geog- 
raphy. How are the boundaries of natural life areas determined? What 
are the primary life areas of North America? Name and outline the three 
zones of the Boreal Region and mention several species characteristic of 
each. Describe the general characters of each zone; topography, climate, 
forest-growth, etc. Treat in a similar manner the humid portions of the 
Austral Region, and the Floridian fauna of the Tropical Region, tracing 
their extent in the map, mentioning some characteristic trees, plants and 
crops as well as birds, and discussing their general topographic and climatic 
features in relation to their effect on the distribution of life. 
References 
1871 . Allen, J. A., A Sketch of the Bird Faunse of Eastern North 
America, Bull.. Mus. Comp. Zool., II, pp. 375-425. — 1892. Allen, J. A., 
The Geographical Distribution of North American Mammals, Bull. Am. 
Mus. Nat. Hist., IY, pp. 199-244; maps. — 1892. Merriam, C. H., The 
Geographic Distribution of Life in North America with Special Reference 
to the Mammalia, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., VII, pp. 1-64, one map. — 1893. 
Allen, J. A., The Geographical Origin and Distribution of North American 
Birds Considered in Relation to the Faunal Areas of North America, The 
Auk, X, pp. 97-150, 2 maps. — 1894. Merriam, C. H., Laws of Temperature 
Control of the Geographical Distribution of Terrestrial Animals and Plants, 
Nat. Geog. Mag.,. VI,. pp. 229-238, 3 maps. — 1895. Merriam, C. H., The 
Geographic Distribution of Animals and Plants in North America, Year- 
book U..S. Dep’t of Agriculture, for 1894, pp. 203-214. — 1898. Merriam, 
C. H., Life Zones and Crop Zones of the United States, Bull. No. 10, Biolog- 
