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128 ZOOLOGICAL GEOGRAPHY. [part hi.
(in the Nearctic region) to California ; Chamcea, a singultir form
allied to the wrens, and forming a distinct family, is quite pecu-
liar; Geococcyx, a Neotropical form of cuckoo, extends to California
and Southern Texas. The following genera are very character-
istic of the sub-region, and some of them almost confined to
it : Myiadedes (Sylviidfp) ; Psaltriparus (Paridse) ; Cyanocitta,
Picicorvus (Corvidse) ; Hesperi'pliona, Peuccea, Chondestes (Fringil-
lidse) ; Selasphorus, Atthis (Trochilidae) ; Colwrriba, Melopelia
(Columbidse) ;
Oreortyx (Tetraonidse).
Reptiles.— The following genera are not found in any other
part of the Nearctic region : Charina (Tortricidse) ; Lichanotus
(Pythonidse) ; Gerrhonotus (Zonuridse) ; Phyllodactylus (Gecko-
tidse) ; Anolius and Tropidolepis (Iguanidse). Sceloporus (Igu-
anidse) is only found elsewhere in Florida. All the larger North
American groups of lizards and snakes are also represented here
but in tortoises it is deficient, owing to the absence of lakes and
large rivers.
Amphibia.—California possesses two genera of Salamandridse,
Aneides and Heredia, which do not extend to the other sub-
regions.
Fresh-water Fish.—There are two or three peculiar genera of
Cyprinidse, but the sub-region is comparatively poor in this
group.
Plate X VIII. Ulustraiive of the Zoology of California and the
BocJcy Mountains.—We have chosen for the subject of this illus-
tration, the peculiar Birds of the Western mountains. The two
birds in the foreground are a species of grouse (Pedioccetes Colum-
hianus), entirely confined to this sub-region ;
while the only other
species of the genus is found in the prairies north and wesf of
Wisconsin, so that the group is peculiar to northern and western
America. The crested birds in the middle of the picture
(Oreortyx picta), are partridges, belonging to the American sub-
family Odontophorinae. This is the only species of the genus
which is confined to California and Oregon. The bird at the
top is the blue crow {Gymnokitta cyanocephala), confined to the
Eocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada from New Mexico and
Arizona northwards, and more properly belonging to the Central
;