1382 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

 

species noted for their great size and strength, or
for the brilliant colors of their plumage. Among
those noted for their size may be mentioned the
condor, ostrich, eagle, ibis, flamingo, and cassowary ;
among those especially noted for their plumage,
the birds of paradise, peacock, and parrots, and
the humming-birds of South America, which lat-
ter, though in less brilliantly-colored plumage,
extend nearly to the extreme limits of the north
and south temperate zones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reptiles are represented by the crocodile, all-
gator, iguana, gigantic lizards, and turtles ; among
serpents, the enormous boa-constrictor, and num-
bers of hooded and other venomous serpents.

The Fish of tropical waters, though large and
brightly colored, are not so well adapted for food
as the more sombre varieties of the temperate or
colder waters.

347. Temperate Fauna—tThe following ani-
mals are found mainly between the tropics and
polar circles. Though fewer of the higher spe-
cies of animals are found in the temperate zone
than in the torrid zone, yet many of the fauna
are of large size, and among them are found ani-
mals most useful to man.

The physical tropical zone, as will be seen from an in-
spection of the map of plant life, actually extends, in the
eastern continent, far into the mathematical north tem-
perate zone, and in these portions the corresponding trop-
ical species occur. Thus, in Northern Africa and South-
ern Asia, are found the ape, tiger, lion, panther, camel, and
rhinoceros. 7

Mammalia are represented as follows:

Flesh-eating mammals, by the lyna, hyena, wolf,
jackal, dog, fox, raccoon, bear, seal, and walrus.

Plant-eating mammals, by the wild boar and hog,

 

 

 

 

the horse, ass, ov, sheep, goat, and chamois, many
of which have been domesticated, as the moose,
elk, reindeer, stag, antelope, buffalo, camel, lama,
and numerous others.

Cetacea, or whales, by the sperm and white
whales.

Rodentia, or gnawing mammals, by the beavers,
squirrels, rats, and porcupines.

Marsupials, by the kangaroo of Australia.

The birds of the temperate zones are repre-
sented by the condor, vulture, hawk, eagle, owl,

 
 
   

Fig. 118, Eagles,

and parrot (near the southern limit of the zone).
The turkey, pheasant, and our common domesti-
cated fowls also are natives of this zone. Here
occur numerous birds which are noted for the
sweetness of their song, as the wren, thrush, robin,
nightingale, and lark; the pelican, albatross, and
the cassowary are found in this zone.

Reptiles are represented by the alligator, eroco-
dile, and lizard, and the rattlesnake, copperhead,
and various other serpents, both poisonous and
harmless.

348, Arctic Fauna.—The following animals
are found mainly between the polar circles and
the poles. The south arctic fauna is but little
known; the following description, therefore, re-
fers mainly to the northern hemisphere:

In the arctic regions of the world, the large
land animals are, with a few exceptions, replaced
by numerous smaller furry species. Throughout