Chapter XXX: Part III: Zoological Geography (10)

PASSERES. | | |
TURDIDÆ. | | |
| | |
1. _Brachypteryx_ | 8 |Himalayas, Ceylon and |
| | Java |
2. Oreocincla | 8 |N. W. Himalayas to E. |Palæarctic, Australian
| | Thibet Ceylon, Burmah,|
| | Malaya, Formosa |
3. Turdus | 26 |The whole region |Almost Cosmopolite
4. Geocichla | 9 |India & Ceylon to Java,|Celebes, Lombock, to
| | Formosa | N. Australia
5. Monticola | 3 |The whole region |Palæarctic, Ethiopian,
| | |Moluccas
6. _Orocætes_ | 2 |N. W. Himalayas, and |
| | India |
7. _Zoothera_ | 3 |W. Himalayas to Aracan,|Lombock, Timor ?
| | Java |
| | |
SYLVIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
8. {_Orthotomus_ | 13 |The whole region |
9. {_Prinia_ | 11 |The whole reg., excl. |
{ | | Philippines |
10. {Drymæca | 13 |The whole reg., excl. |Ethiopian
{ | | Philippines |
11. {Cisticola | 6 |The whole region |Ethiopian, Australian
12. {_Suya_ | 5 |Nepal to S. China and |
{ | | Formosa |
13. {_Megalurus_ | 3 |Central India, Java, |
| | Philippines |
| | |
14. {Acrocephalus | 9 |India to Ceylon, S. |Palæarc., Ethiop.,
{ | | China, and Philippines| Austral.
{(Dumeticola | 2 |Nepal and E. Thibet) |A Palæarctic genus
| | |
15. {Locustella | 4 |Nepal, Hindostan, |Palæarctic
{ | | S. China |
16. {Horites | 2 |Himalayas, Formosa |High Himal., E. Thibet
| | |
17. {Phylloscopus | 10 |All India and Ceylon, |Palæarctic, Ethiopian
{ | | to China, Philippines|
{(Gerygone | 1 |Philippine Islands) |Australian genus
{(Hypolais | 1 |All India, ? migrant) |Palæarctic genus
18. {Abrornis | 26 |The whole reg., excl. |Cashmere, E. Thibet
{ | | Philippines |
19. {Reguloides | 2 |Himalayas and Central |Palæarctic
{ | | India |
{(Regulus | 1 |N. W. Himalayas and |Palæarctic and
| | E. Thibet) | Nearctic
{(Sylvia | 2 |India and Ceylon) |Palæarctic genus
{(Curruca | 2 |India) |Palæarctic genus
| | |
{(Cyanecula | 1 |India) |Palæarctic genus
20. {Calliope | 2 |Himalayas and Central |Palæarctic
{ | | India, Philippine |
{ | | Islands |
21. {Ruticilla | 8 |Himalayas to China and |Palæarctic, Ethiopian
{ | | Formosa |
22. {_Chæmarrhornis_ 1 |Himalayas to Burmah |
23. {_Larvivora_ | 10 |W. Himalayas to Ceylon,|
{ | | Malacca and China |
24. {_Notodela_ | 3 |Himalayas to Pegu, |
{ | | Java, Formosa |
25. {_Tarsiger_ | 2 |Nepal and W. Himalayas |
{(Grandala | 1 |Nepal and E. Thibet, |Palæarctic genus
| | high) |
26. {Copsychus | 6 |The whole region |Madagascar
27. {_Kittacincla_ | 5 |The whole region |
28. {Thamnobia | 2 |N. W. India, Hindostan,|Ethiopian
{ | | and Ceylon |
{(Dromolæa | 1 |N. W. India) |Ethiopian genus
{(Saxicola | 2 |N. W. India) |Palæarctic and
{ | | | Ethiopian
29. {Oreicola ? | 1 |Burmah |Timor
{(Cercomela | 1 |N. W. India, a desert |N. E. Africa,
{ | | genus) | S. W. Asia
30. {Pratincola | 5 |The whole region |Palæarctic, Ethiopian,
| | |Celebes, and Timor
(Accentor | 2 |Himalayas, in winter) |Palæarctic genus
| | |
TIMALIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
31. Pomatorhinus | 20 |The whole region |Australian
32. Malacocercus | 14 |All India to Burmah, |Arabia, Nubia
| | Philippines |
33. Chatarrhæa | 5 |India, Burmah, |Palestine, Abyssinia
| | Philippines |
34. _Layardia_ | 3 |India and Ceylon |
35. _Acanthoptila_ | 1 |Nepal |
36. _Garrulax_ | 22 |The whole region |
37. _Janthocincla_ | 8 |Himalayas to E. Thibet,|
| | Sumatra, Formosa |
38._Gampsorhynchus_| 1 |Nepal |
39. _Grammatoptila_| 1 |N. India |
40._Trochalopteron_| 22 |N. W. Himalayas, India,|
| | China, Formosa |
41. _Actinodura_ | 3 |E. Himalayas, 3,000 to |
| | 10,000 |
42. _Pellorneum_ | 3 |India, Ceylon, |
| | Tenasserim |
43. _Dumetia_ | 2 |India and Ceylon |
44. _Timalia_ | 10 |Malacca to Java |
45. _Stachyris_ | 6 |N. W. Himalayas to |
| | China, Formosa, |
| | Sumatra |
46. _Pyctoris_ | 3 |India, Ceylon, and |
| | Up. Burmah |
47. _Mixornis_ | 8 |Himalayas to Borneo and|
| | Java |
48. _Malacopteron_ | 3 |Malacca to Java |
49. Alcippe | 16 |The whole region |New Guinea
50. _Macronus_ | 1 |Malacca to Java |
51. _Cacopitta_ | 5 |Java, Borneo, Sumatra |
52. Trichastoma | 9 |Nepal, Malacca to Java |Celebes
53. _Napothera_ | 5 |Malacca to Java |
54. Drymocataphus | 6 |Malacca to Java, Ceylon|Timor
55. _Turdinus_ | 4 |Tenasserim, Malacca |
56. _Trichixos_ | 1 |Malacca, Borneo |
57. _Sibia_ | 6 |N. W. Himalayas to |
| | Tenasserim, Formosa |
| | |
PANURIDÆ. | | |
| | |
58. _Paradoxornis_ | 3 |Nepal to Aracan and E. |
| |Thibet, 3,000-6,000 ft.|
59. Suthora | 8 |Himalayas to E. Thibet,|N. W. China, E. Thibet
| | China, Formosa |
60. _Chlenasicus_ | 1 |Sikhim |
| | |
CINCLIDÆ. | | |
| | |
61. Cinclus | 2 |Himalayas, China, and |Palæarctic and
| | Formosa | American
62. Eupetes | 2 |Malacca and Sumatra |New Guinea
63. _Enicurus_ | 9 |N. W. Himalayas (to |
| | 11,000 ft.) to Java |
| | and West China |
64. _Myiophonus_ | 6 |All India (to 9,000 ft.|Turkestan
| | in N. W. Himalayas) |
| | S. China, Formosa, |
| | Java, Sumatra |
| | |
TROGLODYTIDÆ. | | |
| | |
65. _Tesia_ | 2 |Eastern Himalayas |
66. _Pnoepyga_ | 6 |N. W. Himalayas to |
| | E. Thibet, Java |
67. Troglodytes | 1 |Himalayas to E. Thibet |Palæarctic and
| | | American
68. _Rimator_ | 2 |Darjeeling |
| | |
CERTHIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
69. Certhia | 2 |Himalayas |Palæarctic and
| | | Nearctic
70. _Salpornis_ | 1 |Central India |
71. _Rhabdornis_ | 1 |Philippine Islands |
(Tichodroma | 1 |Himalayas in winter) |Palæarctic genus
| | |
SITTIDÆ. | | |
| | |
72. Sitta | 5 |Himalayas to S. India, |Palæarctic and
| | S. China | Nearctic
73. _Dendrophila_ | 2 |All India and Ceylon to|
| | Pegu and Java |
| | |
PARIDÆ. | | |
| | |
74. Parus | 16 |The whole region |Palæarctic and
| | | Nearctic
75. _Melanochlora_ | 2 |Nepal to Malacca and |
| | Sumatra |
76. _Psaltria_ | 1 |West Java |
77. _Ægithaliscus_ | 6 |W. Himalayas to China |Afghanistan
78. _Sylviparus_ | 1 |W. Himalayas to Central|
| | India and E. Thibet |
79. _Cephalopyrus_ | 1 |N. W. Himalayas |
| | |
LIOTRICHIDÆ. | | |
| | |
80. _Liothrix_ | 3 |Nepal to S. W. China |
81. _Siva_ | 3 |Himalayas:--3,000-7,000|
| | ft. |
82. _Minla_ | 4 |Nepal to E. Thibet; |
| | moderate heights |
83. Proparus | 6 |N. W. Himalayas to |Perhaps also
| | E. Thibet; high | Palæarctic
84. _Allotrius_ | 7 |N. W. Himalayas to |
| | Tenasserim, E. Thibet|
| | and Java |
85. _Cutia_ | 2 |Nepal and Sikhim |
86. _Yuhina_ | 4 |Himalayas to E. Thibet,|Perhaps Palæarctic
| | high |
87. _Ixulus_ | 4 |Darjeeling to |
| | Tenasserim |
88. _Myzornis_ | 1 |Nepal and Sikhim |
| | |
PHYLLORNITHIDÆ. | | |
| | |
89. _Phyllornis_ | 10 |The whole region; |
| | excluding China and |
| | Philippines |
90. _Iora_ | 5 |The whole reg., excl. |
| | Philippines |
91. _Erpornis_ | 2 |Nepal and Hainan |
| | |
PYCNONOTIDÆ. | | |
| | |
92. _Microscelis_ | 5 |Burmah, China, Malaya |Japan
93. Pycnonotus | 40 |The whole region |Ethiopian
94. _Hemixus_ | 2 |Himalayas and Hainan |
95. Hypsipetes | 15 |The whole region |Madagascar
96. Criniger | 11 |India, Ceylon, Malaya, |Africa, Moluccas
| | Hainan |
97. _Setornis_ | 3 |Malacca, Sumatra, |
| | Borneo |
98. _Iole_ | 4 |Aracan and Malaya |
| | |
ORIOLIDÆ. | | |
| | |
99. Oriolus | 12 |The whole region |Palæarc. Ethiopian,
| | | Celebes, Flores
100. _Analcipus_ | 3 |Himalayas, Malaya, |
| | Formosa, Hainan |
| | |
CAMPEPHAGIDÆ. | | |
| | |
101. _Pericrocotus_ | 22 |The whole region |Lombock; the Amoor,
| | | migrant
102. Graucalus | 7 |India, Ceylon, Malaya, |Australian
| | Philippines, Hainan |
| | and Formosa |
103. Campephaga | 1 |Philippine Islands |Celebes to N. Guinea
104. _Volvocivora_ | 7 |The whole reg., excl. |
| | Philippines |
105. Lalage | 2 |Malaya and Philippines |Celebes to Pacific Is.
106. _Cochoa_ | 3 |Himalayas and Java |
| | |
DICRURIDÆ. | | |
| | |
107. Dicrurus | 17 |The whole region |Ethiop. and Australian
108. _Bhringa_ | 2 |Himalayas to Burmah and|
| | Java |
109. _Chibia_ | 1 |India to China |Pekin in summer
110. _Chaptia_ | 3 |India to Borneo and |
| | Formosa |
111. _Irena_ | 3 |S. India and Ceylon, |
| | Assam to Malaya and |
| | Philippines |
| | |
MUSCICAPIDÆ. | | |
| | |
112. _Muscicapula_ | 6 |Cashmere to W. China, |
| | S. India |
113. Erythrosterna | 7 |The whole region, |Palæarctic and
| | excluding Philippines| Madagascar
114. Xanthpygia | 2 |Malacca to China |N. China and Japan
115. _Hemipus_ | 1 |India and Ceylon |
116. _Pycnophrys_ | 1 |Java |
117. Hemichelidon | 3 |N. India to Ceylon, and|Eastern Asia
| | China; ? Philippines |
118. _Niltava_ | 3 |Himalayas to W. China |
119. Cyornis | 14 |The whole region |Celebes and Timor
120. Cyanoptila | 1 |Hainan to Japan |Japan and N. China
121. _Eumyias_ | 8 |The whole reg., excl. |
| | Philippines |
122. _Siphia_ | 9 |N. W. India, Ceylon, |
| | Formosa, E. Thibet |
123. _Anthipes_ | 1 |Nepal |
124. _Schwaneria_ | 1 |Borneo |
125. _Hypothymis_ | 1 |The whole region |Celebes
126. Rhipidura | 7 |All India and Ceylon, |
| | Malaya, Philippines |Australian
127. _Chelidorhynx_ | 1 |N. India |
128. _Cryptolopha_ | 1 |The whole region |Celebes
| | |
129. Tchitrea | 6 |The whole region |N. China, and Japan,
| | |Flores, Ethiopian
130. _Philentoma_ | 4 |Malaya and Philippines |
| | |
PACHYCEPHALIDÆ. | | |
| | |
131. Hylocharis | 2 |Aracan to Malaya & |Celebes, Timor
| | Philippines |
| | |
LANIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
132. Lanius | 16 |The whole region |Nearc., Palæarc.,
| | | Ethiop.
133. _Laniellus_ | 1 |Java |
134. _Tephrodornis_ | 5 |India, Ceylon, and |
| | Malaya; Hainan |
| | |
CORVIDÆ. | | |
| | |
135. _Pityriasis_ | 1 |Borneo, Sumatra |
136. _Platylophus_ | 4 |Malaya |
137. Garrulus | 4 |Himalayas, S. China, |Palæarctic
| | Formosa |
138. _Cissa_ | 3 |Himalayas and Aracan to|
| | Java |
139. _Urocissa_ | 7 |N.W. Himalayas, Ceylon,|N. China and Japan
| | Burmah, China, Formosa|
140. _Temnurus_ | 3 |Malaya and Cochin China|
141. _Dendrocitta_ | 8 |All India to S. China, |
| | Formosa, and Sumatra |
142. _Crypsirhina_ | 2 |Java and Burmah |
143. Nucifraga | 2 |Himalayas and E. Thibet|Palæarctic genus
| | 8,000-10,000 feet |
144. Pica | 2 |China and Himalayas of |Palæarctic and
| | Boetan | Nearctic
145. Corvus | 9 |The whole region |Cosmop., excl. S. Am.
(Fregilus | 2 |Himalayas, high) |Palæarctic genus
| | |
NECTARINIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
146. _Æthopaga_ | 13 |Himalayas to W. China &|Celebes
| | Java, Central India |
147. Chalcostetha | 1 |Malaya and Siam |Celebes to New Guinea
148. Arachnothera | 12 |The whole reg., excl. |Celebes, Lombock, New
| | Philippine |Guinea
149. Arachnecthera | 7 |The whole region, excl.|Celebes to New Ireland
| | China |
150. _Nectarophila_ | 4 |India, Ceylon, Malaya, |Celebes
| | Philipp. |
151. _Anthreptes_ | 1 |Malaya and Indo-China |Celebes
| | |
DICÆIDÆ. | | |
| | |
152. Dicæum | 10 |The whole region |Australian
153. Pachyglossa | 1 |Nepal |Celebes
154. _Piprisoma_ | 1 |India and Ceylon |
155. _Prionochilus_ | 4 |Malaya |
156. Zosterops | 8 |The whole region |Ethiopian, Australian
157. _Chalcoparia_ | 1 |Aracan to Malaya |
| | |
HIRUNDINIDÆ. | | |
| | |
158. Hirundo | 10 |The whole region |Cosmopolite
159. Cotyle | 5 |India to China |Palæarc., Ethiop.,
| | | Amer.
160. Chelidon | 3 |India, Borneo |Palæarctic
| | |
FRINGILLIDÆ. | | |
| | |
(Fringilla | 1 |Himalayas, in winter) |Palæarctic genus
(Acanthis | 1 |N. W. Himalayas, in |Palæarctic genus
| | winter) |
(Procarduelis | 1 |High Himalayas) |Palæarctic genus
(Chlorospiza | 1 |China) |Palæarctic and
| | | Ethiopian
161. Passer | 6 |The whole region |Palæarctic and
| | | Ethiopian
(Fringillauda | 1 |High Himalayas) |Palæarctic genus
(Coccothraustes| 2 |High Himalayas) |Palæarctic and
| | | Nearctic
(Mycerobas | 1 |High Himalayas) |Palæarctic genus
162. Eophona | 1 |China |Palæarctic
(Pyrrhula | 4 |Himalayas, winter) |Palæarctic
(Carpodacus | 4 |Himalayas and Central |Palæarctic and
| | India, in winter) | Nearctic
(Loxia | 1 |Snowy Himalayas) |Palæarctic and
| | | Nearctic
(Propyrrhula | 1 |Darjeeling, in winter) |[?] Palæarctic
163. _Hæmatospiza_ | 1 |S. E. Himal., 5,000 to |
| | 10,000 ft. |
| | |
(_S. Fam._ EMBERIZINÆ) | |
| | |
164. Euspiza | 4 |N. W. India to Burmah, |Palæarctic and
| | & China | Nearctic
165. Emberiza | 7 |All India and China, in|Palæarctic genus
| | winter |
| | |
PLOCEIDÆ. | | |
| | |
166. Ploceus | 4 |India & Ceylon, Burmah,|Ethiopian
| | Malaya |
167. Munia | 20 |The whole region |Austro-Malayan
168. Estrilda | 2 |India and Ceylon, |Ethiopian, Australian
| | Burmah, Java |
169. Erythrura | 1 |Java, Sumatra |Moluccas to Fiji
| | | Islands
| | |
STURNIDÆ. | | |
| | |
170. Eulabes | 7 |The whole reg., excl. |Flores, Papua
| | Philippines |
171. _Ampeliceps_ | 1 |Tenasserim to |
| | Cochin-China |
172. _Gymnops_ | 1 |Philippine Islands |
173. Pastor | 1 |All India to Burmah |S. Palæarctic
174. _Acridotheres_ | 6 |The whole region |Celebes
175. _Sturnia_ | 12 |The whole region |N. China & Japan,
| | | Celebes
176. Sturnus | 3 |India and China |Palæarctic
177. _Sturnopastor_ | 3 |Cen. India to Burmah & |
| | Malaya |
178. Calornis | 2 |Malaya and Philippines |[?] Celebes, Moluccas
| | | to Samoan Islands
179. _Saroglossa_ | 1 |W. and Central |
| | Himalayas |
| | |
ARTAMIDÆ. | | |
| | |
180. Artamus | 3 |The whole region |Australian
| | |
ALAUDIDÆ. | | |
| | |
(Otocorys | 1 |N. India, in winter) |Palæarctic and
| | | Nearctic
181. Alauda | 7 |India and China |Palæarctic and
| | | Ethiopian
182. Galerita | 2 |Central India |Palæarctic
183. Calandrella | 2 |India and Burmah |Palæarctic and
| | | Ethiopian
(Melanocorypha | 1 |N. W. India) |Palæarctic
184. Mirafra | 5 |India, Ceylon, and Java|Ethiopian
185. Ammomanes | 1 |Central India |Palæarctic and
| | | Ethiopian
186. Pyrrhulauda | 1 |India and Ceylon |Ethiopian
| | |
MOTACILLIDÆ. | | |
| | |
187. Motacilla | 6 |India and Ceylon to |Palæarctic and
| | China and Philippines| Ethiopian
188. Budytes | 2 |China and Philippines |Palæarctic &
| | | Ethiopian, Moluccas
189. Calobates | 1 |The whole region |Palæarctic
190. _Nemoricola_ | 1 |India, Ceylon, and |
| | Malaya |
191. Authus | 3 |India and China |Cosmopolite
192. Corydalla | 8 |The whole region |Palæarctic, Australian
193. _Heterura_ | 1 |Himalayas |
| | |
EURYLÆMIDÆ. | | |
| | |
194. _Eurylæmus_ | 2 |Malaya |
195. _Serilophus_ | 1 |Himalayas |
196. _Psarisomus_ | 1 |Himalayas |
197. _Corydon_ | 1 |Malacca, Sumatra, |
| | Borneo |
198. _Cymbirhynchus_| 2 |Aracan, Siam, and |
| | Malaya |
199. _Calyptomena_ | 1 |Malacca, Sumatra, |
| | Borneo |
| | |
PITTIDÆ | | |
| | |
200. Pitta | 11 |The whole region |Australian, Ethiopian
201. _Eucichla_ | 3 |Malaya |
202. _Hydrornis_ | 3 |Himalayas and Malaya |
| | |
PICARIÆ. | | |
PICIDÆ. | | |
| | |
203. _Vivia_ | 1 |N. W. Himalayas to E. |
| |Thibet, 3,000-6,000 ft.|
204. _Sasia_ | 2 |Nepal to Malaya and |
| | Borneo |
205. Picus | 14 |The whole region, excl.|Palæarctic, American
| | Philippines |
206. Hyopicus | 1 |Himalayas |N. China
207. _Yungipicus_ | 12 |The whole region |N. China, Japan,
| | | Celebes
208._Reinwardtipicus_ 1 |Penang to Sumatra and |
| | Borneo |
209. _Venilia_ | 2 |Nepal to Sumatra and |
| | Borneo |
210._Chrysocolaptes_| 8 |India, Ceylon, Malaya, |
| | Philippines |
211. _Hemicercus_ | 5 |Malabar, Pegu to Malaya|
212. Gecinus | 12 |All India and Ceylon to|Palæarctic
| | Pegu and Malaya |
213. _Mulleripicus_ | 5 |Malabar, Aracan to |Celebes
| | Malaya and Philippines|
214. _Brachypternus_| 5 |India, Ceylon, and |
| | China |
215. _Tiga_ | 5 |India to Malaya |
216. _Gecinulus_ | 2 |S. Himalayas to Burmah |
217. _Miglyptes_ | 3 |Malaya |
218. _Micropternus_ | 8 |India and Ceylon, to |
| | Borneo and S. China |
| | |
YUNGIDÆ. | | |
| | |
219. Yunx | 1 |Central and S. China |Palæarctic, S. Africa
| | |
INDICATORIDÆ. | | |
| | |
220. Indicator | 2 |Himalayas and Borneo |Ethiopian
| | |
MEGALÆMIDÆ. | | |
| | |
221. _Megalæma_ | 27 |The whole region, excl.|
| | Philippines |
222. _Xantholæma_ | 4 |All India and Ceylon to|
| | Pegu and Malaya |
223. _Psilopogon_ | 1 |Sumatra |
224. _Caloramphus_ | 2 |Malacca, Sumatra and |
| | Borneo |
| | |
CUCULIDÆ. | | |
| | |
225. _Phoenicophaës_| 1 |Ceylon |
226. _Rhinococcyx_ | 1 |Java |
227. _Dasylophus_ | 1 |Philippine Islands |
228. _Lepidogrammus_| 1 |Philippine Islands |
229. _Carpococcyx_ | 1 |Borneo, Sumatra |
230. _Zanclostomus_ | 1 |Malaya |
231. _Rhopodytes_ | 7 |Nepal to Ceylon, Hainan|
| | and Malaya |
232. _Taccocoua_ | 4 |All India, Ceylon, |
| | Malacca |
233. _Poliococcyx_ | 1 |Malacca, Sumatra, |
| | Borneo |
234. _Rhinortha_ | 1 |Malacca, Sumatra, |
| | Borneo |
235. Centropus | 14 |The whole region |Ethiopian, Australian
236. Cuculus | 10 |The whole region |Palæarc., Ethiop.,
| | | Aust.
237. Cacomantis | 9 |The whole region |Australian
238. Chrysococcyx | 5 |The whole region |Ethiopian, Australian
239. _Surniculus_ | 2 |India, Ceylon and |
| | Malaya |
240. Hierococcyx | 6 |The whole region |Celebes, N. China and
| | | Amoorland
241. Coccystes | 2 |The whole region, excl.|Ethiopian
| | Philippines |
242. Eudynamis | 2 |The whole region |Australian
| | |
CORACIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
243. Coracias | 2 |India, Ceylon and |Ethiopian, S.
| | Burmah | Palæarctic, Celebes
244. Eurystomus | 1 |The whole region |Ethiopian, Australian
| | |
MEROPIDÆ. | | |
| | |
245. _Nyctiornis_ | 3 |S. India to Himalayas, |
| | Burmah, Sumatra, and |
| | Borneo |
246. Merops | 5 |The whole region |S. Palæarctic,
| | | Ethiopian,
| | | Australian
| | |
TROGONIDÆ. | | |
| | |
247. _Harpactes_ | 10 |The whole region, excl.|
| | China |
| | |
ALCEDINIDÆ. | | |
| | |
248. Halcyon | 10 |The whole region |S. Palæarctic,
| | | Ethiopian,
| | | Australian
249. _Pelargopsis_ | 7 |The whole region, excl.|Celebes and Timor
| | China |
250. _Carcineutes_ | 2 |Burmah, Siam, and |
| | Malaya |
251. Ceyx | 6 |India and Ceylon, |Moluccas & New Guin.
| | Malaya and Philippines|
252. Alcedo | 5 |The whole region |Palæarctic, Ethiopian,
| | |Austro-Malayan
253. Alcyone | 1 |Philippines |Australian genus
254. Ceryle | 2 |India to S. China |Ethiopian, S.
| | | Palæarctic, American
| | |
BUCEROTIDÆ. | | |
| | |
255. _Buceros_ | 4 |Nepal to Malaya, S. |
| | India, Philippines |
256. _Hydrocissa_ | 7 |India, Ceylon and |
| | Malaya |
257. Berenicornis | 1 |Sumatra |W. Africa
258. Calao | 2 |Tenasserim, Malaya |Austro-Malaya
259. _Aceros_ | 1 |S. E. Himalayas |
260. _Cranorrhinus_ | 2 |Malacca to Borneo and |Celebes
| | Philippines |
261. _Penelopides_ | 1 |Philippines |
262. _Rhinoplax_ | 1 |Sumatra, Borneo |
263. _Meniceros_ | 3 |India and Ceylon to |
| | Tenasserim |
| | |
UPUPIDÆ. | | |
| | |
264. Upupa | 3 |India, Ceylon and |Ethiopian,
| | Burmah | S. Palæarctic
| | |
PODARGIDÆ. | | |
| | |
265. Batrachostomus | 6 |India, Ceylon and |Moluccas
| | Malaya |
| | |
CAPRIMULGIDÆ. | | |
| | |
266. Caprimulgus | 13 |The whole region |The Eastern
| | | Hemisphere
267. _Lyncornis_ | 4 |Burmah, Malaya, & |Celebes
| | Philippines |
| | |
CYPSELIDÆ. | | |
| | |
268. Cypselus | 8 |The region, excl. |The Old World &
| | Philippines | S. Amer.
269. Dendrochelidon | 3 |Ceylon, India, Malaya, |Austro-Malaya
| | Philipp. |
270. Collocalia | 3 |The whole region |Madagascar, Moluccas,
| | | Pacific Islands
271. Chætura | 3 |Ceylon, India, Malaya, |America, Africa
| | Hainan |
| | |
PSITTACI. | | |
CACATUIDÆ. | | |
| | |
(Cacatua | 1 |Philippines) |Australian genus
| | |
PALÆORNITHIDÆ. | | |
| | |
272. Palæornis | 14 |N. W. India to Ceylon, |Ethiopian
| | Siam & Malaya |
273. Prioniturus | 1 |Philippine Islands |Celebes
274. Cyclopsitta | 1 |Philippine Islands |Papuan Islands
275. _Psittinus_ | 1 |Malaya, excl. Java |
276. Tanygnathus | 1 |Philippine Islands |Austro-Malaya
277. Loriculus | 9 |Ceylon, India, Malaya, |Celebes and Moluccas,
| | Philippines | Flores
| | |
COLUMBÆ. | | |
COLUMBIDÆ. | | |
| | |
278. Treron | 21 |The whole region |Ethiopian, Moluccas
279. Ptilopus | 3 |Malaya and Philippines |Australian
280. Carpophaga | 10 |India and Ceylon to |Australian
| | Hainan and Philippines|
281. Columba | 7 |Ceylon and India to |Palæarc., Ethiop.,
| | Tenasserim | Amer.
282. Janthænas | 3 |Philippine, Andaman & |Japan, Moluccas to
| | Nicobar Islands | Samoan Islands
283. Macropygia | 6 |Nepal, Java, Hainan, |Austro-Malaya,
| | Philippines | Australia
284. Turtur | 8 |The whole region |Old World, Austro-
| | | Malay.
285. Chalcophaps | 2 |India, Ceylon, Malaya, |Austro-Malaya,
| | Hainan, Philippines, | Australia
| | Formosa |
286. _Phapitreron_ | 2 |Philippine Islands |
287. Caloenas | 1 |Nicobar and Philippine |Austro-Malaya
| | Islands |
288. Phlegoenas | 2 |Philippine and Sooloo |Austro-Mal. &
| | Islands | Polynesia
289. Geopelia | 1 |Philippine Islands, |Austro-Malaya &
| | Java | Austral.
| | |
GALLINÆ. | | |
PTEROCLIDÆ. | | |
| | |
290. Pterocles | 2 |Central and S. India |S. Palæarctic,
| | | Ethiopian
| | |
TETRAONIDÆ. | | |
| | |
291. Francolinus | 3 |Ceylon and India to |S. Palæarctic,
| | S. China | Ethiopian
292. _Ortygornis_ | 3 |Ceylon to Himalayas, |
| | Sumatra & Borneo |
293. Perdix | 12 |India, Malaya, |Palæarctic
| | Philippines, China |
294. Coturnix | 9 |The whole region |The Eastern Hemisphere
295. _Rollulus_ | 2 |Malacca, Siam, Borneo, |
| | Philipp. |
(Caccabis | 1 |W. Himalayas) |Palæarctic genus
| | |
PHASIANIDÆ. | | |
| | |
296. _Pavo_ | 2 |Ceylon to Himalayas, |
| | S. W. China and Java |
| | |
297. _Argusianus_ | 4 |Siam, Malacca, Borneo |
298. _Polyplectron_ | 5 |Upper Assam to S. W. |
| | China & Sumatra |
(Lophophorus | 3 |Cashmere and E. Thibet)|Palæarctic genus
(Tetraophasis | 1 |E. Thibet) |Palæarctic genus
299. Ceriornis | 5 |N. W. Himalayas to |S. E. Palæarctic
| | W. China |
(Pucrasia | 3 |N. W. Himalayas to N. |Palæarctic genus
| | China and Mongolia) |
300. Phasianus | 3 |W. Himalayas, S. China,|S. Palæarctic
| | Formosa |
301. _Euplocamus_ | 13 |N. W. Himalayas to |
| | China, Sumatra and |
| | Borneo |
302. _Gallus_ | 4 |The region, excl. China|Celebes and Timor
303. _Galloperdix_ | 3 |Central India to Ceylon|
| | |
TURNICIDÆ. | | |
| | |
304. Turnix | 9 |The whole region |S. Palæarc.,
| | | Ethiopian, Australian
| | |
MEGAPODIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
305. Megapodius | 2 |Nicobar Is., |Celebes to Samoan Is.,
| | Philippines, N. W. | N. Australia
| | Borneo |
| | |
ACCIPITRES. | | |
VULTURIDÆ. | | |
| | |
306. Vultur | 1 |Himalayas |S. Palæarctic,
| | | Ethiopian
307. Gyps | 3 |India and Siam |S. Palæarctic,
| | | Ethiopian
308. _Pseudogyps_ | 1 |India and Burmah |N. Ethiopian
309. Neophron | 1 |All India |S. Palæarctic,
| | | Ethiopian
| | |
FALCONIDÆ. | | |
| | |
310. Circus | 4 |India and China |Almost Cosmopolite
311. Astur | 4 |The whole region |Almost Cosmopolite
312. Accipiter | 2 |The whole region |Almost Cosmopolite
313. Buteo | 2 |India to China |Cosmopolite; excl.
| | | Austl.
314. Aquila | 4 |India to China |Nearc, Palæarc.,
| | | Ethiop.
315. Nisaëtus | 2 |India and Ceylon |S. Palæar., Ethiop.,
| | | Aus.
316. Lophotriorchis | 1 |Indo-Malaya |Neotropical
317. Neopus | 1 |India to Burmah and |Celebes and Moluccas
| | Malaya |
318. Spizaëtus | 5 |India to Malaya and |Neotropical,
| | Formosa | Ethiopian,
| | | Austro-Malayan
319. Circaëtus | 1 |Indian peninsula |Palæarc., Ethiop.,
| | | Timor
320. _Spilornis_ | 5 |The whole region |Celebes
321. Butastur | 3 |The whole region |N. E. Africa, Celebes,
| | |New Guinea
322. Haliæetus | 2 |The whole region |Cosmopolite; excl.
| | | Neotropical region
323. Haliastur | 1 |India to Malaya |Austro-Malaya,
| | | Austral.
324. Milvus | 3 |The whole region |The Eastern
| | | Hemisphere.
325. Elanus | 2 |India, Malaya |Africa, Australia
326. Machærhamphus | 1 |Malacca |S. W. Africa & Madag.
327. Pernis | 1 |India |Palæarctic and
| | | Ethiopian, Celebes
328. Baza | 3 |India to Malaya |
| |Moluccas and N. Austrl.|
329. _Hierax_ | 4 |N. India, Burmah, |
| | Malaya |
330. Poliohierax | 1 |Burmah |E. Africa
331. Falco | 8 |The whole region |Almost Cosmopolite
332. Cerchneis | 3 |The whole region |Almost Cosmopolite
| | |
PANDIONIDÆ. | | |
| | |
333. Pandion | 1 |The whole region |Cosmopolite
334. Polioaëtus | 2 |India to Malaya |Indo-Malaya &
| | | Polynesia
| | |
STRIGIDÆ. | | |
| | |
335. Athene | 9 |The whole region |The Eastern Hemisphere
336. _Ninox_ | 7 |The whole region |N. China and Japan
337. Bubo | 4 |India, Ceylon, Malaya |Cosmop. exc. Austr.
| | and Philip. | reg.
338. _Ketupa_ | 3 |The whole region |
339. Scops | 7 |The whole region |Almost Cosmopolite
340. Syrnium | 6 |The whole region |Cosmop. exc. Austr.
| | | reg.
(Asio | 2 |India) |Palæarc., Ethiop.
| | | Amer.
341. Strix | 4 |The whole region |Cosmopolite
342. _Phodilus_ | 2 |Nepal, Malaya |

_Peculiar or very Characteristic Genera of Wading or Swimming Birds._

| | |
GRALLÆ. | | |
RALLIDÆ. | | |
| | |
Rallina | 10 |The whole region |Austro-Malaya
| | |
PARRIDÆ. | | |
| | |
_Hydrophasanus _| 1 |The whole region |
| | |
CHARADRIIDÆ. | | |
| | |
Æsacus | 1 |The whole region |Austro-Malayan, Austra

{387}CHAPTER XIII.

THE AUSTRALIAN REGION.

The Australian is the great insular region of the earth. As a whole it is one of the best marked, and has even been considered to be equal in zoological value to all the rest of the globe; but its separate portions are very heterogeneous, and their limits sometimes ill-defined. Its central and most important masses consist of Australia and New Guinea, in which the main features of the region are fully developed. To the north-west it extends to Celebes, in which a large proportion of the Australian characters have disappeared, while Oriental types are mingled with them to such an extent that it is rather difficult to determine where to locate it. To the south-east it includes New Zealand, which is in some respects so peculiar, that it has even been proposed to constitute it a distinct region. On the east it embraces the whole of Oceania to the Marquesas and Sandwich Islands, whose very scanty and often peculiar fauna, must be affiliated to the general Australian type.

Australia is the largest tract of land in the region, being several times more extensive than all the other islands combined, and it is here that the greatest variety of peculiar types have been developed. This island-continent, being situated in the track of the southern desert zone, and having no central mountains to condense the vapours from the surrounding ocean, has a large portion of its interior so parched up and barren as to be almost destitute of animal life. The most extensive tract of fertile and well-watered country is on the east and south-east, {388}where a fine range of mountains reaches, in the Colony of Victoria, the limits of perpetual snow. The west coast also possesses mountains of moderate height, but the climate is very dry and hot. The northern portion is entirely tropical, yet it nowhere presents the luxuriance of vegetation characteristic of the great island of New Guinea immediately to the north of it. Taken as a whole, Australia is characterized by an arid climate and a deficiency of water; conditions which have probably long prevailed, and under which its very peculiar fauna and flora have been developed. This fact will account for some of the marked differences between it and the adjacent sub-regions of New Guinea and the Moluccas, where the climate is moist, and the vegetation luxuriant; and these divergent features must never be lost sight of, in comparing the different portions of the Australian region. In Tasmania alone, which is however, essentially a detached portion of Australia, a more uniform and moister climate prevails; but it is too small a tract of land, and has been too recently severed from its parent mass to have developed a special fauna.

The Austro-Malay sub-region (of which New Guinea is the central and typical mass) is strikingly contrasted with Australia, being subjected to purely equatorial conditions,--a high, but uniform temperature, excessive moisture, and a luxuriant forest vegetation, exactly similar in general features to that which clothes the Indo-Malay Islands, and the other portions of the great equatorial forest zone. Such a climate and vegetation, being the necessary result of its geographical position, must have existed from remote geological epochs with but little change, and must therefore have profoundly affected all the forms of life which have been developed under their influence. Around New Guinea as a centre are grouped a number of important islands, more or less closely agreeing with it in physical features, climate, vegetation, and forms of life. In most immediate connection we place the Aru Islands, Mysol and Waigiou, with Jobie and the other Islands in Geelvinck Bay, all of which are connected with it by shallow seas; they possess one of its most characteristic groups, the Birds of Paradise, and have no doubt only recently (in {389}a geological sense) been separated from it. In the next rank come the large islands of the Moluccas on the west, and the range terminating in the Solomon Islands on the east, both of which groups possess a clearly Papuan fauna, although deficient in many of the most remarkable Papuan types.

All these islands agree closely with New Guinea itself in being very mountainous, and covered with a luxuriant forest vegetation; but to the south-west we find a set of islands extending from Timor to Lombock, which agree more nearly with Australia, both in climate and vegetation; being arid and abounding in eucalypti, acacias, and thickets of thorny shrubs. These, like the Moluccas, are surrounded by deep sea, and it is doubtful whether they have either of them been actually connected with New Guinea or Australia in recent geological times; but the general features of their zoology oblige us to unite all these islands with New Guinea as forming the Austro-Malay sub-division of the Australian region. Still further west however, we have the large island of Celebes, whose position is very difficult to determine. It is mountainous, but has also extensive plains and low lands. Its climate is somewhat arid in the south, where the woods are often scattered and thorny, while in the north it is moister, and the forests are luxuriant. It is surrounded by deep seas, but also by coralline and volcanic islets, indicating former elevations and subsidences. Its fauna presents the most puzzling relations, showing affinities to Java, to the Philippines, to the Moluccas, to New Guinea, to continental India, and even to Africa; so that it is almost impossible to decide whether to place it in the Oriental or the Australian region. On the whole the preponderance of its relations appears to be with the latter, though it is undoubtedly very anomalous, and may, with almost as much propriety, be classed with the former. This will be better understood when we come to discuss its zoological peculiarities.

The next sub-region consists of the extensive series of islands scattered over the Pacific, the principal groups being the Sandwich Islands, the Marquesas and Society Islands, the Navigators', Friendly, and Fiji Islands. New Caledonia and the New {390}Hebrides have rather an uncertain position, and it is difficult to decide whether to class them with the Austro-Malay Islands, the Pacific Islands, or Australia. The islands of the west Pacific, north of the equator, also probably come into this region, although the Ladrone Islands may belong to the Philippines; but as the fauna of all these small islets is very scanty, and very little known, they are not at present of much importance.

There remains the islands of New Zealand, with the surrounding small islands, as far as the Auckland, Chatham, and Norfolk Islands. These are situated in the south temperate forest-zone. They are mountainous, and have a moist, equable, and temperate climate. They are true oceanic islands, and the total absence of mammalia intimates that they have not been connected with Australia or any other continent in recent geological times. The general character of their zoology, no less than their botany, affiliates them however, to Australia as portions of the same zoological region.

_General Zoological Characteristics of the Australian Region._--For the purpose of giving an idea of the very peculiar and striking features which characterise the Australian region, it will be as well at first to confine ourselves to the great central land masses of Australia and New Guinea, where those features are manifested in their greatest force and purity, leaving the various peculiarities and anomalies of the outlying islands to be dealt with subsequently.

_Mammalia._--The Australian region is broadly distinguished from all the rest of the globe by the entire absence of all the orders of non-aquatic mammalia that abound in the Old World, except two--the winged bats (Chiroptera), and the equally cosmopolite rodents (Rodentia). Of these latter however, only one family is represented--the Muridæ--(comprising the rats and mice), and the Australian representatives of these are all of small or moderate size--a suggestive fact in appreciating the true character of the Australian fauna. In place of the Quadrumana, Carnivora, and Ungulates, which abound in endless variety in all the other regions under equally favourable conditions, Australia possesses two new orders (or perhaps {391}sub-classes)--Marsupialia and Monotremata, found nowhere else on the globe except a single family of the former in America. The Marsupials are wonderfully developed in Australia, where they exist in the most diversified forms, adapted to different modes of life. Some are carnivorous, some herbivorous; some arboreal, others terrestrial. There are insect-eaters, root-gnawers, fruit-eaters, honey-eaters, leaf or grass-feeders. Some resemble wolves, others marmots, weasels, squirrels, flying squirrels, dormice or jerboas. They are classed in six distinct families, comprising about thirty genera, and subserve most of the purposes in the economy of nature, fulfilled in other parts of the world by very different groups; yet they all possess common peculiarities of structure and habits which show that they are members of one stock, and have no real affinity with the Old-World forms which they often outwardly resemble.

The other order, Monotremata, is only represented by two rare and very remarkable forms, _Ornithorhynchus_ and _Echidna_, probably the descendants of some of those earlier developments of mammalian life which in every other part of the globe have long been extinct.

The bats of Australia all belong to Old-World genera and possess no features of special interest, a result of the wandering habits of these aerial mammals. The Rodents are more interesting. They are all more or less modified forms of mice or rats. Some belong to the widely distributed genus _Mus_, others to four allied genera, which may be all modifications of some common Old-World form. They spread all over Australia, and allied species occur in Celebes and the Papuan Islands, so that although not yet known from the Moluccas, there can be little doubt that some of them exist there.

_Birds._--The typical Australian region, as above defined, is almost as well characterized by its birds, as by its mammalia; but in this case the deficiencies are less conspicuous, while the peculiar and characteristic families are numerous and important. The most marked deficiency as regards wide-spread families, is the total absence of Fringillidæ (true finches), Picidæ (woodpeckers), Vulturidæ (vultures), and Phasianidæ (pheasants). {392}and among prevalent Oriental groups, Pycnonotidæ (bulbuls), Phyllornithidæ (green bulbuls), and Megalæmidæ (barbets) are families whose absence is significant. Nine families are peculiar to the region, or only just pass its limits in the case of single species. These are Paridiseidæ (paradise-birds), Meliphagidæ (honey-suckers), Menuridæ (lyre-birds), Atrichidæ (scrub-birds), Cacatuidæ (cockatoos), Platycercidæ (broad-tailed and grass-paroquets), Trichoglossidæ (brush-tongued paroquets), Megapodiidæ (mound-makers), and Casuariidæ (cassowaries). There are also eight very characteristic families, of which four,--Pachycephalidæ (thick-headed shrikes), Campephagidæ (caterpillar shrikes), Dicæidæ (flower-peckers), and Artamidæ (swallow-shrikes)--are feebly represented elsewhere, while the other four--Ploceidæ (weaver-finches), Alcædinidæ (kingfishers), Podargidæ (frog-mouths), and Columbidæ (pigeons)--although widely distributed, are here unusually abundant and varied, and (except in the case of the Ploceidæ) better represented in the Australian than in any other region. Of all these the Meliphagidæ (honeysuckers) are the most peculiarly and characteristically Australian. This family abounds in genera and species; it extends into every part of the region from Celebes and Lombock on the west, to the Sandwich Islands, Marquesas, and New Zealand on the east, while not a single species overpasses its limits, with the exception of one (_Ptilotis limbata_) which abounds in all the islands of the Timorese group, and has crossed the narrow strait from Lombock to Baly; but this can hardly be considered to impugn the otherwise striking fact of wide diffusion combined with strict limitation, which characterizes it. This family is the more important, because, like the Trichoglossidæ or brush-tongued paroquets, it seems to have been developed in co-ordination with that wealth of nectariferous flowering shrubs and trees which is one of the marked features of Australian vegetation. It probably originated in the extensive land-area of Australia itself, and thence spread into all the tributary islands, where it has become variously modified, yet always in such close adaptation to the other great features of the Australian fauna, that it seems unable to maintain itself when subject to the competition of the more {393}varied forms of life in the Oriental region; to which, possessing great powers of flight, some species must occasionally have emigrated. Its presence or absence serves therefore to define and limit the Australian region with a precision hardly to be equalled in the case of any other region or any other family of birds.

The Trichoglossidæ, as already intimated, are another of these peculiarly organized Australian families,--parrots with an extensile brush-tipped tongue, adapted to extract the nectar and pollen from flowers. These are also rigidly confined to this region, but they do not range so completely over the whole of it, being absent from New Zealand (where however they are represented by a closely allied form _Nestor_), and from the Sandwich Islands. The Paradiseidæ (birds of paradise and allies) are another remarkable family, confined to the Papuan group of Islands, and the tropical parts of Australia. The Megapodiidæ (or mound-builders) are another most remarkable and anomalous group of birds, no doubt specially adapted to Australian conditions of existence. Their peculiarity consists in their laying enormous eggs (at considerable intervals of time) and burying them either in the loose hot sand of the beach above high-water mark, or in enormous mounds of leaves, sticks, earth, and refuse of all kinds, gathered together by the birds, whose feet and claws are enlarged and strengthened for the work. The warmth of this slightly fermenting mass hatches the eggs; when the young birds work their way out, and thenceforth take care of themselves, as they are able to run quickly, and even to fly short distances, as soon as they are hatched. This may perhaps be an adaptation to the peculiar condition of so large a portion of Australia, in respect to prolonged droughts and scanty water-supply, entailing a periodical scarcity of all kinds of food. In such a country the confinement of the parents to one spot during the long period of incubation would often lead to starvation, and the consequent death of the offspring. But the same birds with free power to roam about, might readily maintain themselves. This peculiar constitution and habit, which enabled the Megapodii to maintain an existence under the unfavourable conditions of their {394}original habitat gives them a great advantage in the luxuriant islands of the Moluccas, to which they have spread. There they abound to a remarkable extent, and their eggs furnish a luxurious repast to the natives. They have also reached many of the smallest islets, and have spread beyond the limits of the region to the Philippines, and North-Western Borneo, as well as to the remote Nicobar Islands.

The Platycercidæ, or broad-tailed paroquets, are another wide-spread Australian group, of weak structure but gorgeously coloured, ranging from the Moluccas to New Zealand and the Society Islands, and very characteristic of the region, to which they are strictly confined. The Cockatoos have not quite so wide a range, being confined to the Austro-Malayan and Australian sub-regions, while one species extends into the Philippine Islands. The other two peculiar families are more restricted in their range, and will be noticed under the sub-regions to which they respectively belong.

Of the characteristic families, the Pachycephalidæ, or thick-headed shrikes, are especially Australian, ranging over all the region, except New Zealand; while only a single species has spread into the Oriental, and one of doubtful affinity to the Ethiopian region. The Artamidæ, or swallow-shrikes, are also almost wholly confined to the region, one species only extending to India. They range to the Fiji Islands on the east, but only to Tasmania on the south. These two families must be considered as really peculiar to Australia. The Podargidæ, or frog-mouths--large, thick-billed goat-suckers--are strange birds very characteristic of the Australian region, although they have representatives in the Oriental and Neotropical regions. Campephagidæ (caterpillar-shrikes) also abound, but they are fairly represented both in India and Africa. The Ploceidæ, or weaver-birds, are the finches of Australia, and present a variety of interesting and beautiful forms.

We now come to the kingfishers, a cosmopolitan family of birds, yet so largely developed in the Australian region as to deserve special notice. Two-thirds of all the genera are found here, and no less than 10 out of the 19 genera in the family are {395}peculiar to the Australian region. Another of the universally distributed families which have their metropolis here, is that of the Columbidæ or pigeons. Three-fourths of the genera have representatives in the Australian region, while two-fifths of the whole are confined to it; and it possesses as many species of pigeons as any other two regions combined. It also possesses the most remarkable forms, as exemplified in the great crowned pigeons (_Goura_) and the hook-billed _Didunculus_, while the green fruit-pigeons (_Ptilopus_) are sometimes adorned with colours vying with those of the gayest parrots or chatterers. This enormous development of a family of birds so defenceless as the pigeons, whose rude nests expose their eggs and helpless young to continual danger, may perhaps be correlated, as I have suggested elsewhere (Ibis, 1865, p. 366), with the entire absence of monkeys, cats, lemurs, weasels, civets and other arboreal mammals, which prey on eggs and young birds. The very prevalent green colour of the upper part of their plumage, may be due to the need of concealment from their only enemies,--birds of prey; and this is rendered more probable by the fact that it is among the pigeons of the small islands of the Pacific (where hawks and their allies are exceedingly scarce) that we alone meet with species whose entire plumage is a rich and conspicuous yellow. Where the need of concealment is least, the brilliancy of colour has attained its maximum. We may therefore look upon the genus _Ptilopus_, with its fifty species whose typical coloration is green, with patches of bright blue, red, or yellow on the head and breast, as a special development suited to the tropical portion of the Australian region, to which it is almost wholly confined.

It will be seen from the sketch just given, that the ornithological features of the Australian region are almost as remarkable as those presented by its Mammalian fauna; and from the fuller development attained by the aërial class of birds, much more varied and interesting. None of the other regions of the earth can offer us so many families with special points of interest in structure, or habits, or general relations. The paradise-birds, the honeysuckers, the brush-tongued paroquets, the mound-builders, and the cassowaries--all strictly peculiar {396}to the region--with such remarkable developments as we have indicated in the kingfishers and pigeons, place the Australian region in the first rank for the variety, singularity, and interest of its birds, and only second to South America as regards numbers and beauty.

_Reptiles._--In Reptiles the peculiarity of the main Australian region is less marked, although the fauna is sufficiently distinct. There is no family of snakes confined to the region, but many peculiar genera of the families Pythonidæ and Elapidæ. About two-thirds of the Australian snakes belong to the latter family, and are poisonous; so that although the Crotalidæ and Viperidæ are absent, there are perhaps a larger proportion of poisonous to harmless snakes than in any other part of the world. According to Mr. Gerard Krefft the proportion varies considerably in the different colonies. In Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland the proportion is about two to one; in West Australia three to one; and in South Australia six to one. In Tasmania there are only 3 species and all are poisonous. The number of species, as in other parts of the world, seems to increase with temperature. The 3 in Tasmania have increased to 12 in Victoria, 15 in South Australia and the same in West Australia; 31 in New South Wales, and 42 in sub-tropical Queensland.

The lizards of Australia have lately been catalogued by Dr. Günther in the concluding part of the "Voyage of the Erebus and Terror," issued in 1875. They belong to 8 families, 3 of which are peculiar; 57 genera of which 36 are peculiar; and about 140 species, all but 2 or 3 of which are peculiar. The scinks and geckoes form the great bulk of the Australian lizards, with a few Agamidæ, Gymnopthalmidæ, and Varanidæ. The three peculiar families are the Pygopodidæ, Aprasiidæ and Lialidæ; comprising only 4 genera and 7 species. The above all belong to Australia proper. Those of the other sub-regions are few in number and will be noticed under their respective localities. They will perhaps bring up the number of genera to 70. West and South Australia seem to offer much peculiarity in their lizards; these districts possessing 12 peculiar genera, {397}while a much smaller number are confined to the East and South-East, or to the North.

Among the fresh-water turtles of the family Chelydidæ there are three peculiar genera--_Chelodina_, _Chelemys_, and _Elseya_, all from Australia.

_Amphibia._--No tailed amphibians are known from the whole region, but no less than eleven of the families of tail-less Batrachians (toads and frogs) are known to inhabit some part or other of it. A peculiar family (Xenorhinidæ), consisting of a single species, is found in New Guinea; the true toads (Bufonidæ) are only represented by a single species of a peculiar genus in Australia, and by a _Bufo_ in Celebes. Nine of the families are represented in Australia itself, and the following genera are peculiar to it:--_Pseudophryne_ (Phryniscidæ), _Pachybatrachus_, and _Chelydobatrachus_ (Engystomydæ); _Helioporus_ (Alytidæ); _Pelodyras_ and _Chirodyras_ (Pelodryadæ); _Notaden_ (Bufonidæ).

_Fresh-water Fish._--There is only one peculiar family of fresh-water fishes in this region--the Gadopsidæ--represented by a single genus and species. The other species of Australia belong to the families Trachinidæ, Atherinidæ, Mugillidæ, Siluridæ, Homalopteræ, Haplochitonidæ, Galaxidæ, Osteoglossidæ, Symbranchidæ, and Sirenoidei; most of the genera being peculiar. The large and widely-distributed families, Cyprinodontidæ and Cyprinidæ, are absent. The most remarkable fish is the recently discovered _Ceratodus_, allied to the _Lepidosiren_ of Tropical America, and _Protopterus_ of Tropical Africa, the three species constituting the Sub-class Dipnoi, remains of which have been found fossil in the Triassic formation.

_Summary of Australian Vertebrata._--In order to complete our general sketch of Australian zoology, and to afford materials for comparison with other regions, we will here summarize the distribution of Vertebrata in the entire Australian region, as given in detail in the tables at the end of this chapter. When an undoubted Oriental family or genus extends to Celebes only we do not count it as belonging to the Australian region, that island being so very anomalous and intermediate in character.

{398}The Australian region, then, possesses examples of 18 families of Mammalia, 8 of which are peculiar; 71 of Birds, 16 being peculiar; 31 of Reptiles, 4 being peculiar; 11 of Amphibia, with 1 peculiar; and 11 of Fresh-water fish, with 1 peculiar. In all, 142 families of Vertebrates, 30 of which are almost or quite confined to it, or between one-fourth and one-fifth of the whole number.

The genera of Mammalia occurring within the limits of this region are 70, of which 45 are almost, or quite, confined to it.

Of Land-Birds there are 296 genera, 196 of which are equally limited. The proportion is in both cases very nearly five-eighths.

This shows a considerable deficiency both in families of Vertebrates and genera of Mammalia, as compared with the Oriental and Ethiopian regions; while in genera of Birds it is a little superior to the latter in total numbers, and considerably so in the proportion of peculiar types.

_Supposed Land Connection between Australia and South America._

We may now consider how far the different classes and orders of vertebrates afford indications that during past ages there has been some closer connection between Australia and South America than that which now exists.