The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Volume 2

Chapter XXV: Part IV: Geographical Zoology (7)

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_Pterocles_ (14 sp.), has the same range as the family; _Syrrhaptes_ (2 sp.), normally inhabits Tartary, Thibet, and Mongolia to the country around Pekin, and occasionally visits Eastern Europe. But a few years back (1863) great numbers suddenly appeared in {338}Europe and extended westward to the shores of the Atlantic, while some even reached Ireland and the Færoes. (Plate III. Vol. I. p. 226.)

FAMILY 87.--TETRAONIDÆ. (29 Genera, 170 Species.)

The Tetraonidæ, including the Grouse, Partridges, Quails, and allied forms, abound in all parts of the Eastern continents; they are less plentiful in North America and comparatively scarce in South America, more than half the Neotropical species being found north of Panama; and in the Australian region there are only a few of small size. The Ethiopian region probably contains most species; next comes the Oriental--India proper from the Himalayas to Ceylon having twenty; while the Australian region, with 15 species, is the poorest. These facts render it probable that the Tetraonidæ are essentially denizens of the great northern continents, and that their entrance into South America, Australia, and even South Africa, is, comparatively speaking, recent. They have developed into forms equally suited to the tropical plains and the arctic regions, some of them being among the few denizens of the extreme north, as well as of the highest alpine snows. The genera are somewhat unsettled, and there is even some uncertainty as to the limits between this family and the next; but the following are those now generally admitted:--

_Ptilopachus_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Francolinus_ (34 sp.), all Africa, South Europe, India to Ceylon, and South China; _Ortygornis_ (3 sp.), Himalayas to Ceylon, Sumatra, and Borneo; _Peliperdix_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Perdix_ (3 sp.), the whole Continental Palæarctic region; _Margaroperdix_ (1 sp.), Madagascar; _Oreoperdix_ (1 sp.), Formosa; _Arborophila_ (8 sp.), the Oriental Continent and the Philippines; _Peloperdix_ (4 sp.), Tenasserim and Malaya; _Coturnix_ (21 sp.), Temperate Palæarctic, Ethiopian and {339}Oriental regions, and the Australian to New Zealand; _Rollulus_ (2 sp.), Siam to Sumatra, Borneo, and Philippines; _Caloperdix_ (1 sp.), Malacca and Sumatra; _Odontophorus_ (17 sp.), Brazil and Peru to Mexico; _Dendrortyx_ (3 sp.), Guatemala and Mexico; _Cyrtonyx_ (3 sp.), Guatemala to New Mexico; _Ortyx_ (8 sp.), Honduras and Cuba to Canada; _Eupsychortyx_ (6 sp.), Brazil and Ecuador to Mexico; _Callipepla_ (3 sp.), Mexico to California; _Lophortyx_ (2 sp.), Arizona and California; _Oreortyx_ (1 sp.), California and Oregon (Plate XVIII., Vol. II. p. 128); _Lerwa_ (1 sp.), Snowy Himalayas and East Thibet; _Caccabis_ (10 sp.), Palæarctic region to Abyssinia, Arabia and the Punjaub; _Tetraogallus_ (4 sp.), Caucasus and Himalayas to Altai Mountains; _Tetrao_ (7 sp.), northern parts of Palæarctic and Nearctic regions; _Centrocercus_ (1 sp.), Rocky Mountains; _Pediocætes_ (2 sp.), North and North-west America (Plate XVIII. Vol. II. p. 128); _Cupidonia_ (1 sp.), East and North-Central United States and Canada; _Bonasa_ (3 sp.), north of Nearctic and Palæarctic regions; _Lagopus_ (6 sp.), Arctic Zone and northern parts of Nearctic and Palæarctic regions.

FAMILY 88.--PHASIANIDÆ. (18 Genera, 75 Species.)

The Phasianidæ, including the Pea-fowl, Pheasants, and Jungle-fowl, the Turkeys, and the Guinea-fowl, are very widely distributed, but are far more abundant than elsewhere in the Eastern parts of Asia, both tropical and temperate. Leaving out the African guinea-fowls and the American turkeys, we have 13 genera and 63 species belonging to the Oriental and Palæarctic regions. These are grouped by Mr. Elliot (whose arrangement we mainly follow) in 5 sub-families, of which 3--Pavonniæ, Euplocaminæ, and Gallinæ--are chiefly Oriental, while the Lophophorniæ and Phasianinæ are mostly Palæarctic or from the highlands on the {340}borders of the two regions. The genera adopted by Mr. Elliot in his _Monograph_ are the following:--

PAVONINÆ, 4 genera.--_Pavo_ (2 sp.), Himalayas to Ceylon, Siam, to South-west China and Java; _Argusianus_ (4 sp.), Siam, Malay Peninsula, and Borneo (Plate IX. Vol. I. p. 339); _Polyplectron_ (5 sp.), Upper Assam to South-west China and Sumatra; _Crossoptilon_ (4 sp.), Thibet and North China. (Plate III. Vol. I. p. 226.)

LOPHOPHORINÆ, 4 genera.--_Lophophorus_ (3 sp.), High woody region of Himalayas from Cashmere to West China; _Tetraophasis_ (1 sp.), East Thibet; _Ceriornis_ (5 sp.), Highest woody Himalayas from Cashmere to Bhotan and Western China (Plate VII. Vol. I. p. 331); _Pucrasia_ (3 sp.), Lower and High woody Himalayas from the Hindoo Koosh to North-west China.

PHASIANINÆ, 2 genera.--_Phasianus_ (12 sp.), Western Asia to Japan and Formosa, south to near Canton and Yunan, and the Western Himalayas, north to the Altai Mountains; _Thaumalea_ (3 sp.), North-western China and Mongolia. (Plate III. Vol. I. p. 226.)

EUPLOCAMINÆ, 2 genera.--_Euplocamus_ (12 sp.), Cashmere, along Southern Himalayas to Siam, South China and Formosa, and to Sumatra and Borneo; _Ithaginis_ (2 sp.), High Himalayas from Nepal to North-west China.

GALLINÆ, 1 genus.--_Gallus_ (4 sp.), Cashmere to Hainan, Ceylon, Borneo, Java, and eastwards to Celebes and Timor. (Central India, Ceylon, and East Java, have each a distinct species of Jungle-fowl.)

MELEAGRINÆ, 1 genus.--_Meleagris_ (3 sp.), Eastern and Central United States and south to Mexico, Guatemala and Yucatan.

AGELASTINÆ, 2 genera.--_Phasidus_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Agelastes_ (1 sp.), West Africa.

NUMIDINÆ, 2 genera.--_Acryllium_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Numida_ (9 sp.), Ethiopian region, east to Madagascar, south to Natal and Great Fish River.

{341}FAMILY 89.--TURNICIDÆ. (2 Genera, 24 Species.)

The Turnicidæ are small Quail-like birds, supposed to have remote affinities with the American Tinamous, and with sufficient distinctive peculiarities to constitute a separate family. They range over the Old World, from Spain all through Africa and Madagascar, and over the whole Oriental region to Formosa, and then north again to Pekin, as well as south-eastward to Australia and Tasmania. The genus _Turnix_ (23 sp.), has the range of the family; _Ortyxelos_ (1 sp.), inhabits Senegal; but the latter genus may not belong to this family.

FAMILY 90.--MEGAPODIIDÆ. (4 Genera, 20 Species.)

The Megapodiidæ, or Mound-makers and Brush-turkeys, are generally dull-coloured birds of remarkable habits and economy, which have no near allies, but are supposed to have a remote affinity with the South American Curassows. They are highly characteristic of the Australian region, extending into almost every part of it except New Zealand and the remotest Pacific islands, and only sending two species beyond its limits,--a _Megapodius_ in the Philippine Islands and North-west Borneo, and another in the Nicobar Islands, separated by about 1,800 miles from its nearest ally in Lombok. The Philippine species offers little difficulty, for these birds are found on the smallest {342}islands and sand-banks, and can evidently pass over a few miles of sea with ease; but the Nicobar bird is a very different case, because none of the numerous intervening islands offer a single example of the family. Instead of being a well-marked and clearly differentiated form, as we should expect to find it if its remote and isolated habitat were due to natural causes, it so nearly resembles some of the closely-allied species of the Moluccas and New Guinea, that, had it been found with them, it would hardly have been thought specifically extinct. I therefore believe that it is probably an introduction by the Malays, and that, owing to the absence of enemies and general suitability of conditions, it has thriven in the islands and has become slightly differentiated in colour from the parent stock. The following is the distribution of the genera at present known:--

_Talegallus_ (2 sp.), New Guinea and East Australia; _Megacephalon_ (1 sp.), East Celebes; _Lipoa_ (1 sp.), South Australia; _Megapodius_ (16 sp.), Philippine Islands and Celebes, to Timor, North Australia, New Caledonia, the Marian and Samoa Islands, and probably every intervening island,--also a species (doubtfully indigenous) in the Nicobar Islands.

FAMILY 91.--CRACIDÆ, (12 Genera, 53 Species.)

(Messrs. Sclater and Salvin's arrangement is here followed).

The Cracidæ, or Curassows and Guans, comprise the largest and handsomest game-birds of the Neotropical region, where they take the place of the grouse and pheasants of the Old World. They are almost all forest-dwellers, and are a strictly Neotropical family, only one species just entering the Nearctic region as far as New Mexico. They extend southward to Paraguay and the extreme south of Brazil, but none are found in the {343}Antilles, nor west of the Andes south of the bay of Guayaquil. The sub-families and genera are as follows:--

CRACINÆ, 4 genera.--_Crax_ (8 sp.), Mexico to Paraguay (Plate XV., Vol. II. p. 28); _Nothocrax_ (1 sp.), Guiana, Upper Rio Negro, and Upper Amazon; _Pauxi_ (1 sp.), Guiana to Venezuela; _Mitua_ (2 sp.), Guiana and Upper Amazon.

PENELOPINÆ, 7 genera.--_Stegnolæma_ (1 sp.), Columbia and Ecuador; _Penelope_ (14 sp.), Mexico to Paraguay and to western slope of Ecuadorian Andes; _Penelopina_ (1 sp.), Guatemala; _Pipile_ (3 sp.), Venezuela to Eastern Brazil; _Aburria_ (1 sp), Columbia; _Chamæpetes_ (2 sp.), Costa Rica to Peru; _Ortalida_ (18 sp.), New Mexico to Paraguay, also Tobago.

OREOPHASINÆ, 1 genus.--_Oreophasis_ (1 sp.), Guatemala.

It thus appears that the Cracinæ are confined to South America east of the Andes, except one species in Central America; whereas nine Penelopinæ and _Oreophasis_ are found north of Panama. The species of the larger genera are strictly representative, each having its own distinct geographical area, so that two species of the same genus are rarely or never found in the same locality.

FAMILY 92.--TINAMIDÆ. (9 Genera, 39 Species.)

The Tinamous are a very remarkable family of birds, with the general appearance of partridges or hemipodes, but with the tail either very small or entirely wanting. They differ greatly in their organization from any of the Old World Gallinæ, and approach, in some respects, the Struthiones or Ostrich tribe. They are very terrestrial in their habits, inhabiting the forests, open plains, and mountains of the Neotropical region, from Patagonia and Chili to Mexico; but, like the Cracidæ, they are absent from the Antilles. Their colouring is very sober and protective, as is the case with so many ground-birds, and they are seldom adorned {344}with crests or other ornamental plumes, so prevalent in the order to which they belong. The sub-families and genera, according to the arrangement of Messrs. Sclater and Salvin, are as follows:--

TINAMINÆ, 7 genera.--_Tinamus_ (7 sp.), Mexico to Paraguay; _Nothocercus_ (3 sp.), Costa Rica to Venezuela and Ecuador; _Crypturus_ (16 sp.), Mexico to Paraguay and Bolivia; _Rhynchotus_ (2 sp.), Bolivia and South Brazil to La Plata; _Nothoprocta_ (4 sp.), Ecuador to Bolivia and Chili; _Nothura_ (4 sp.), Brazil and Bolivia to Patagonia; _Taoniscus_ (1 sp.), Brazil to Paraguay.

TINAMOTINÆ, 2 genera.-- _Calodromas_ (1 sp.), La Plata and Patagonia; _Tinamotis_ (1 sp.), Andes of Peru and Bolivia.

_General Remarks on the Distribution of Gallinæ._

There are about 400 known species of Gallinaceous birds grouped into 76 genera, of which no less than 65 are each restricted to a single region. The Tetraonidæ are the only cosmopolitan family, and even these do not extend into Temperate South America, and are very poorly represented in Australia. The Cracidæ and Tinamidæ are strictly Neotropical, the Megapodiidæ almost as strictly Australian. There remains the extensive family of the Phasianidæ, which offers some interesting facts. We have first the well-marked sub-families of the Numidinæ and Meleagrinæ, confined to the Ethiopian and Nearctic regions respectively, and we find the remaining five sub-families, comprising about 60 species, many of them the most magnificent of known birds, spread over the Oriental and the south-eastern portion of the Palæarctic regions. This restriction is remarkable, since there is no apparent cause in climate or vegetation why pheasants should not be found wild throughout southern Europe, as they were during late Tertiary and Post-Tertiary times. We have also to notice the remarkable absence of the Pheasant tribe from Hindostan and Ceylon, where the peacock and jungle-fowl are their sole representatives. These two forms also alone extend to Java, whereas in the adjacent islands of Borneo and Sumatra we have _Argusianus_, _Polyplectron_, and _Euplocamus_. The common jungle-fowl (the origin of our domestic poultry) is the only {345}species which enters the Australian region as far as Celebes and Timor, and another species (_Gallus æneus_) as far as Flores, and it is not improbable that these may have been introduced by man and become wild.

We have very little knowledge of the extinct forms of Gallinæ, but what we have assures us of their high antiquity, since we find such distinct groups as the jungle-fowl, partridges, and _Pterocles_, represented in Europe in the Miocene period; while the Turkey, then as now, appears to have been a special American type.

_Order VI.--OPISTHOCOMI._

FAMILY 93.--OPISTHOCOMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

The Hoazin (_Opisthocomus cristatus_) is the sole representative of this family and of the order Opisthocomi. It inhabits the eastern side of Equatorial America in Guiana and the Lower Amazon; and at Pará is called "Cigana" or gipsy. It is a large, brown, long-legged, weakly-formed and loosely-crested bird, having such anomalies of structure that it is impossible to class it along with any other family. It is one of those survivors, which tell us of extinct groups, of whose past existence we should otherwise, perhaps, remain for ever ignorant.

_Order VII.--ACCIPITRES._

FAMILY 94.--VULTURIDÆ. (10 Genera, 25 Species.)

{346}Vultures range over all the great continents south of the Arctic Circle, being only absent from the Australian region, the Malay Islands, Ceylon, and Madagascar. The Old and New World forms are very distinct, belonging to two well-marked divisions, often ranked as families. The distribution of the genera is as follows:--

Sub-family I. VULTURINÆ (6 genera, 16 species), confined to the Old World.--_Vultur_ (1 sp.), Spain and North Africa through Nepal to China north of Ningpo; _Gyps_ (5 sp.), Europe south of 59°, Africa, except the western sub-region, India, Siam, and Northern China; _Pseudogyps_ (2 sp.), North-east Africa and Senegal, India and Burmah; _Otogyps_ (2 sp.), South Europe, North-east and South Africa, India, and Siam; _Lophogyps_ (1 sp.), North-east and South Africa and Senegal; _Neophron_ (4 sp.), South Europe, India and the greater part of Africa.

Sub-family II. SARCORHAMPHINÆ (4 genera, 9 species), confined to the New World.--_Sarcorhamphus_ (2 sp.), "The Condor," Andes of South America, and southern extremity below 41° south latitude; _Cathartes_ (1 sp.), America from 20° south latitude to Trinidad and Mexico; _Catharistes_ (1 sp.), America from 40° north to 40° south latitude, but not on Pacific coast of United States; _Pseudogryphis_ (5 sp.), South America and Falkland Islands, and to 49° north latitude in North America, also Cuba and Jamaica.

FAMILY 95.--SERPENTARIIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

The singular Secretary Bird (_Serpentarius_) is found over a large part of Africa. Its position is uncertain, as it has affinities both with the Accipitres, through _Polyboroides_ (?) and with _Cariama_, which we place near the Bustards. (Plate IV. Vol. I. p. 261.)

{347}FAMILY 96.--FALCONIDÆ. (69 Genera, 325 Species.)

The Falconidæ, including the various groups of Hawks, Kites, Buzzards, Eagles, and Falcons, are absolutely cosmopolitan, ranging far into the arctic zone and visiting the most remote oceanic islands. They are abundant in all the great continents and larger islands, preferring open to woody regions. They are divided into several sub-families, the range of some of which are restricted. For this family as well as the preceding I follow the arrangement of Mr. Sharpe's _British Museum Catalogue_, and shall give the approximate distribution of each sub-family, as well as of the several genera.

Sub-family I. POLYBORINÆ (2 genera, 10 species), the Neotropical region with California and Florida, Tropical and South Africa.--_Polyborus_ (2 sp.), South America, and to California and Florida; _Ibycter_ (8 sp.), Tierra del Fuego to Honduras and Guatemala.

_Cariama_ and _Serpentarius_, which Mr. Sharpe puts here, are so anomalous that I think it better to class them in separate families--Serpentariidæ among the Accipitres, and Cariamidæ near the Bustards.

Sub-family II. ACCIPITRINÆ (10 genera, 87 species).--Cosmopolitan.--_Polyboroides_ (2 sp.), Africa and Madagascar; _Circus_ (15 sp.), Old and New Worlds, widely scattered, but absent from Eastern Equatorial America, and the Malay Archipelago except Celebes; _Micrastur_ (7 sp.), and _Geranospiza_ (2 sp.), Tropical parts of Neotropical region; _Urotriorchis_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Erythrocnema_ (1 sp.), Chili and La Plata to California and Texas; _Melierax_ (5 sp.), Africa except West African sub-region; _Astur_ (30 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Temperate South American sub-region; {348}_Nisoides_ (1 sp.), Madagascar; _Eutriorchis_ (1 sp.), Madagascar; _Accipiter_ (23 sp.), cosmopolitan, except Eastern Oceania.

Sub-family III. BUTEONINÆ (13 genera, 51 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Malay and Pacific Islands.--_Urospizias_ (1 sp.), East and Central Australia; _Heterospizias_ (1 sp.), Tropical South America east of the Andes; _Tachytriorchis_ (2 sp.), Paraguay to California; _Buteo_ (18 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Australian region and the Indo-Malayan sub-region; _Archibuteo_ (4 sp.), North America to Mexico and the cooler parts of the Palæarctic region; _Buteola_ (1 sp.), Veragua to the Amazon Valley; _Asturina_ (7 sp.), Paraguay and Bolivia to South-east United States; _Busarellus_ (1 sp.), Brazil to Guiana; _Buteogallus_ (1 sp.), Guiana and Columbia; _Urubutinga_ (12 sp.), South Brazil and Bolivia to Mexico; _Harpyhaliæetus_ (1 sp.), Chili and North Patagonia to Veragua; _Morphnus_ (1 sp.), Amazonia to Panama; _Thrasaëtus_ (1 sp.), Paraguay and Bolivia to Mexico.

Sub-family IV. AQUILINÆ (31 genera, 94 species), cosmopolitan.--_Gypaëtus_ (2 sp.), south of Palæarctic region from Spain to North China, Abyssinia, and South Africa; _Uroaëtus_ (1 sp.), Australia and Tasmania; _Aquila_ (9 sp.), Nearctic, Palæarctic, and Ethiopian regions and India; _Nisaëtus_ (4 sp.), Africa and South Europe, India, Ceylon, and Australia; _Lophotriorchis_ (2 sp.), Indo-Malay sub-region, and Bogotá in South America; _Neopus_ (1 sp.), India and Ceylon to Burmah, Java, Celebes and Ternate; _Spiziastur_ (1 sp.), Guatemala to Brazil; _Spizaëtus_ (10 sp.), Central and South America, Africa, India, and Ceylon, to Celebes and New Guinea, Formosa, and Japan; _Lophoaëtus_ (1 sp.), all Africa; _Asturinula_ (1 sp.), Africa, except extreme south; _Herpetotheres_ (1 sp.), Bolivia and Paraguay to Southern Mexico; _Dryotriorchis_ (1 sp.), West Africa; _Circaëtus_ (5 sp.) Africa to Central Europe, the Indian Peninsula, Timor; _Spilornis_ (6 sp.), Oriental region and Celebes; _Butastur_ (4 sp.), Oriental region to New Guinea and North-east Africa; _Helotarsus_ (2 sp.), Africa south of the Sahara; _Haliæetus_ (7 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Neotropical region; _Gypohierax_ (1 sp.), West Africa and Zanzibar; _Haliastur_ (2 sp.), Indian Peninsula to Ceylon, New {349}Caledonia, and Australia; _Nauclerus_ (= _Elanoides_) (1 sp.), Brazil to Southern United States; _Elanoides_ (= _Nauclerus_) (1 sp.), Western and North-eastern Africa; _Milvus_ (6 sp.), the Old World and Australia; _Lophoictinia_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Rostrhamus_ (3 sp.), Antilles and Florida to Brazil and Peru; _Leptodon_ (4 sp.), Central America to South Brazil and Bolivia; _Gypoictinia_ (1 sp.), South and West Australia; _Elanus_ (5 sp.), Africa, India, and Malay Archipelago to Australia, South America to California; _Gampsonyx_ (1 sp.), Trinidad to Brazil; _Henicopernis_ (1 sp.), Papuan Islands; _Machærhamphus_ (2 sp.), South-west Africa, Madagascar, and Malacca; _Pernis_ (3 sp.), Palæarctic, Oriental, and Ethiopian regions.

Sub-family V. FALCONINÆ (11 genera, 80 species), cosmopolitan.--_Baza_ (10 sp.), India and Ceylon to the Moluccas and North Australia, West Coast of Africa, Natal, and Madagascar; _Harpagus_ (3 sp.), Central America to Brazil and Peru; _Ictinia_ (2 sp.), Brazil to Southern United States; _Hierax_ (= _Microhierax_, Sharpe), (4 sp.), Eastern Himalayas to Borneo and Philippines; _Poliohierax_ (2 sp.), East Africa and Burmah; _Spiziapteryx_ (1 sp.), La Plata; _Harpa_ (1 sp.), New Zealand and the Auckland Islands; _Falco_ (27 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Pacific Islands; _Hierofalco_ (6 sp.), Nearctic and Palæarctic regions; _Hieracidea_ (2 sp.), Australia; _Cerchneis_ (22 sp.), cosmopolitan, except Oceania.

FAMILY 97.--PANDIONIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)

The Pandionidæ, or Fishing Hawks, are universally distributed, with the exception of the Southern Temperate parts of South America. The genera are:--

_Pandion_ (1 sp.), the range of the entire family; _Polioaëtus_ (2 sp.), India through Malay Archipelago to Celebes and Sandwich Islands.

{350}FAMILY 98.--STRIGIDÆ. (23 Genera, 180 Species.)

The Strigidæ, or Owls, form an extensive and well-known family of nocturnal birds, which, although invariably placed next the Hawks, are now believed to be not very closely allied to the other Accipitres. They range over the whole globe, extending to the extreme polar regions and to the remotest oceanic islands. Their classification is very unsettled, and we therefore place the genera, for convenience, in the order in which they follow each other in the _Hand List of Birds_. Those adopted by most ornithologists are the following:--

_Surnia_ (1 sp.), the Arctic regions of both hemispheres; _Nyctea_ (1 sp.), South Carolina to Greenland and Northern Europe; _Athene_ (40 sp.), the Eastern hemisphere to New Zealand and the Solomon Islands; _Ninox_ (7 sp.), the Oriental region, North China and Japan; _Glaucidium_ (7 sp.), Neotropical region, California, and Oregon, Europe to North China; _Micrathene_ (1 sp.), Mexico and Arizona; _Pholeoptynx_ (2 sp.), Neotropical region, Texas, and North-west America; _Bubo_ (16 sp.), universally distributed, excluding the Australian region; _Ketupa_ (3 sp.), the Oriental region, Palestine; _Scotopelia_ (2 sp.), West and South Africa; _Scops_ (30 sp.), universally distributed, excluding Australia and Pacific Islands; _Gymnoglaux_ (2 sp.), Antilles; _Lophostrix_ (2 sp.), Lower Amazon to Guatemala; _Syrnium_ (22 sp.), all regions but the Australian; _Ciccaba_ (10 sp.), Paraguay to Mexico; _Nyctalatinus_ (1 sp.), Columbia; _Pulsatrix_ (2 sp.), Brazil and Peru to Guatemala; _Asio_ (6 sp.), all regions but the Australian, Sandwich Islands; _Nyctalops_ (1 sp.), Cuba and Mexico to Brazil and Monte Video; _Pseudoscops_ (1 sp.), Jamaica; _Nyctala_ (4 sp.), the North Temperate zone; _Strix_ (18 sp.), universally distributed; _Phodilus_ (1 sp.), Himalayas and Malaya.

{351}In Mr. Sharpe's Catalogue (published while this work was passing through the press) the genera of Owls are reduced to 19, arranged in two families--Strigidæ, containing our last two genera, and Bubonidæ, comprising the remainder. The species are increased to 190; but some genera are reduced, as _Strix_, which is said to contain only 5 species.

_General Remarks on the Distribution of the Accipitres._

The Birds of Prey are so widely distributed over the world's surface that their general distribution calls for few remarks. Of the four families all but one are cosmopolites, Vultures alone being absent from the Australian region, as well as from Indo-Malaya and Madagascar. If we take the sub-families, we find that each region has several which are confined to it. The only parts of the world where there is a marked deficiency of Accipitres is in the islands of the Pacific; and it may be noted, as a rule, that these birds are more abundant in continents than in islands. There is not so much difference between the number of Birds of Prey in tropical and temperate regions, as is found in most other groups of land-birds. North America and Europe have about 60 species each, while India has about 80, and South America about 120. The total number of Accipitres is 550 comprised in 104 genera, and 4 (or perhaps more properly 5) families. In this estimate I have not included the Serpentariidæ, containing the Secretary Bird of Africa, as there is some doubt whether it really belongs to the Order.

_Order VIII.--GRALLÆ._

FAMILY 99.--RALLIDÆ. (18 Genera, 153 Species.)

The Rails are among the most widely distributed families of birds, many of the genera being cosmopolitan, and several of the {352}species ranging over half the globe. They are found in many remote islands; and in some of these--as the _Gallinula_ of Tristan d'Acunha, and the _Notornis_ of Lord Howe's Island and New Zealand,--they have lost the power of flight. The classification of the Rallidæ is not satisfactory, and the following enumeration of the genera must only be taken as affording a provisional sketch of the distribution of the group:--

_Rallus_ (18 sp.), _Porzana_ (24 sp.), _Gallinula_ (17 sp.), and _Fulica_ (10 sp.), have a world-wide range; _Ortygometra_ (1 sp.), ranges over the whole North Temperate zone; _Porphyrio_ (14 sp.), is more especially Oriental and Australian, but occurs also in South America, in Africa, and in South Europe; _Eulabeornis_ (15 sp.), is Ethiopian, Malayan, and Australian; _Himantornis_ (1 sp.), is West African only; _Aramides_ (24 sp.), is North and South American; _Rallina_ (16 sp.), is Oriental, but ranges eastward to Papua; _Habroptila_ (1 sp.), is confined to the Moluccas; _Pareudiastes_ (1 sp.), the Samoa Islands; _Tribonyx_ (4 sp.), is Australian, and has recently been found also in New Zealand; _Ocydromus_ (4 sp.); _Notornis_ (2 sp.), (Plate XIII. Vol. I. p. 455); and _Cabalus_ (1 sp.), are peculiar to the New Zealand group.

The sub-family, Heliornithinæ (sometimes classed as a distinct family) consists of 2 genera, _Heliornis_ (1 sp.), confined to the Neotropical region; and _Podica_ (4 sp.), the Ethiopian region excluding Madagascar, and with a species (perhaps forming another genus) in Borneo.

_Extinct Rallidæ._--Remains of some species of this family have been found in the Mascarene Islands, and historical evidence shows that they have perhaps been extinct little more than a century. They belong to the genus _Fulica_, and to two extinct genera, _Aphanapteryx_ and _Erythromachus_. The _Aphanapteryx_ was a large bird of a reddish colour, with loose plumage, and perhaps allied to _Ocydromus_. _Erythromachus_ was much smaller, of a grey-and-white colour, and is said to have lived chiefly on the eggs of the land-tortoises. (See _Ibis_, 1869, p. 256; and _Proc. Zool. Soc._, 1875, p. 40.)

{353}FAMILY 100.--SCOLOPACIDÆ. (21 Genera, 121 Species.)

The Scolopacidæ, comprehending the Snipes, Sandpipers, Curlews, and allied genera, are perhaps as truly cosmopolitan as any family of birds, ranging to the extreme north and visiting the remotest islands. The genera of universal distribution are the following:--

_Numenius_ (16 sp.); _Limosa_ (6 sp.); _Totanus_ (12 sp.); _Tringoides_, (6 sp.); _Himantopus_ (6 sp.); _Tringa_ (20 sp.); and _Gallinago_ (24 sp.). Those which have a more or less restricted distribution are:--

_Ibidorhyncha_ (1 sp.), Central Asia and the Himalayas (Plate VII. Vol. I. p. 331); _Helodromas_ (1 sp.), Palæarctic region and North India; _Terekia_ (1 sp.), East Palæarctic, wandering to India and Australia; _Recurvirostra_ (6 sp.), Nearctic region to the High Andes, South Palæarctic, East and South Africa, Hindostan and Australia; _Micropelama_ (1 sp.), North America to Chili; _Machetes_ (1 sp.), Palæarctic region and Hindostan (Plate I. Vol. I. p. 195); _Ereunetes_ (3 sp.), Nearctic and Neotropical; _Eurinorhynchus_ (1 sp.), North-east Asia and Bengal; _Calidris_ (1 sp.), all regions but Australian; _Macrorhamphus_ (3 sp.), Palæarctic and Nearctic, visits Brazil and India; _Scolopax_ (4 sp.), the whole Palæarctic region, to India, Java, and Australia; _Philohela_ (1 sp.), East Nearctic; _Rhynchæa_ (4 sp.), Ethiopian and Oriental, Australia, and Temperate South America; _Phalaropus_ (3 sp.), North Temperate zone, and West Coast of America to Chili.

{354}FAMILY 101.--CHIONIDIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

The Sheath-bills, _Chionis_ (2 sp.), are curious white birds, whose thick bill has a horny sheath at the base. Their nearest ally is _Hæmatopus_, a genus of Charadriidæ. These birds are confined to the Antarctic Islands, especially the Falkland Islands, the Crozets and Kerguelen's Land.

FAMILY 102.--THINOCORIDÆ. (2 Genera, 6 Species.)

The Thinocoridæ, or Quail-snipes, are small birds, confined to Temperate South America. They have much the appearance of Quails but are more nearly allied to Plovers. The two genera are:--

_Attagis_ (4 sp.), Falkland Islands, Straits of Magellan, Chili, Bolivia, and the High Andes of Peru and Ecuador; _Thinocorus_ (2 sp.), La Plata, Chili, and Peru. (Plate XVI. Vol. II. p. 40.)

FAMILY 103.--PARRIDÆ. (2 Genera, 11 Species.)

{355}The Parridæ, or Jacanas, are remarkable long-toed birds, often of elegant plumage, frequenting swamps and marshes, and walking on the floating leaves of aquatic plants. They are found in all the tropics. _Parra_ (10 sp.), has the distribution of the family; _Hydrophasianus_ (1 sp.), is confined to the Oriental region.

FAMILY 104.--GLAREOLIDÆ. (3 Genera, 20 Species.)

This family, comprising the Pratincoles and Coursers, is universally distributed over the Old World and to Australia.

_Glareola_ (9 sp.), has the distribution of the family; _Pluvianus_ (1 sp.), is confined to North Africa; _Cursorius_ (10 sp.), ranges over Africa, South Europe and India.

The position of the genus _Glareola_ is uncertain, for though generally classed here, Prof. Lilljeborg considers it to be an aberrant form of the Caprimulgidæ! It differs, in its insectivorous habits and in many points of external structure, from all its allies, and should probably form a distinct family.

FAMILY 105.--CHARADIIDÆ. (19 Genera, 101 Species.)

The extensive family of the Plovers and their numerous allies, ranges over the whole globe. The genera now usually admitted into this family are the following:--

_Oedicnemus_ (9 sp.), is only absent from North America; _Æsacus_ (2 sp.), India to Ceylon, Malay Islands and Australia; {356}_Vanellus_ (3 sp.), Palæarctic and Neotropical regions; _Chætusia_ (15 sp.), the whole Eastern Hemisphere; _Erythrogonys_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Hoplopterus_ (10 sp.), widely scattered, but absent from North America; _Squatarola_ (1 sp), all the regions; _Charadrius_ (14 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Eudromias_ (5 sp.), Eastern Hemisphere and South Temperate America; _Ægialitis_ (22 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Oreophilus_ (1 sp.), South Temperate America; _Thinornis_ (2 sp.), New Zealand; _Anarhynchus_ (1 sp.), New Zealand (Plate XIII. Vol I. p. 455); _Hæmatopus_ (9 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Strepsilas_ (2 sp.) almost cosmopolitan; _Aphriza_ (1 sp.), West Coast of America; _Pluvianellus_ (1 sp.), Straits of Magellan; _Dromas_ (1 sp.), India, Madagascar, and North-east Africa; _Pedionomus_ (1 sp.), Australia. This last genus has usually been placed with the Turnicidæ.

FAMILY 106.--OTIDIDÆ. (2 Genera, 26 Species.)

The Otididæ, or Bustards, occur in all parts of the Old World and Australia where there are open tracts, being only absent from Madagascar and the Malay Archipelago.

_Otis_ (2 sp.), ranges over most of the Palæarctic region; while _Eupodotis_ (24 sp.), has the range of the family, but is most abundant in the Ethiopian region, which contains three-fourths of the whole number of species.

FAMILY 107.--GRUIDÆ. (3 Genera, 16 Species.)

{357}The Gruidæ, or Cranes, are found in all the regions except the Neotropical.

_Grus_ (12 sp.) inhabits the southern and western United States, the whole Palæarctic region, South-east Africa, India, and Australia; _Anthropoides_ (2 sp.), Europe, North and South Africa and India; _Balearica_ (2 sp.), the Ethiopian region (except Madagascar).

FAMILY 108.--CARIAMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

The genus _Cariama_ (2 sp.), consists of remarkable crested birds inhabiting the mountains and open plains of Brazil and La Plata. In the British Museum Catalogue of the Birds of Prey, they are classed as aberrant Falconidæ, but their anomalous characters seem to require them to be placed in a distinct family, which seems better placed among the Waders.

FAMILY 109.--ARAMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

The Guaraünas are birds which have somewhat the appearance of Herons, but which are usually classed with the Rails. They are now, however, considered to form a distinct family. The only genus, _Aramus_ (2 sp.), inhabits the Neotropical region, from Mexico and Cuba to Central Brazil.

{358}FAMILY 110.--PSOPHIIDÆ. (1 Genus, 6 Species.)

The remarkable and beautiful birds called Trumpeters, are confined to the various parts of the Amazon valley; and it is an interesting fact, that the range of each species appears to be bounded by some of the great rivers. Thus, _Psophia crepitans_ inhabits the interior of Guiana as far as the south bank of the Rio Negro; on the opposite or north bank of the Rio Negro _Psophia ochroptera_ is found; beyond the next great rivers, Japura and Iça, _Psophia napensis_ occurs; on the south bank of the Amazon, west of the Madeira, we have the beautiful _Psophia leucoptera_; east of the Madeira this is replaced by _Psophia viridis_, while near Pará, beyond the Tapajoz, Xingu and Tocantins, there is another species, _Psophia obscura_. Other species may exist in the intervening river districts; but we have here, apparently, a case of a number of well-marked species of birds capable of flight, yet with their range in certain directions accurately defined by great rivers. (Plate XV. Vol. II. p. 28.)

FAMILY 111.--EURYPYGIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)

The Eurypygidæ, or Sun-Bitterns, are small heron-like birds with beautifully-coloured wings, which frequent the muddy and wooded river-banks of tropical America. The only genus, _Eurypyga_ (2 sp.), ranges from Central America to Brazil.

{359}FAMILY 112.--RHINOCHETIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)

The genus _Rhinochetus_ (1 sp.), consists of a singular bird called the Kagu, which inhabits New Caledonia, an island which may be placed with almost equal propriety in our 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Australian sub-regions. It is a bird of a bluish ash-colour, with a loose plumage, partaking something of the appearance of Rail, Plover, and Heron, but with peculiarities of structure which require it to be placed in a distinct family. Its anatomy shows that its nearest allies are the South American genera, _Eurypyga_ and _Psophia_.

FAMILY 113.--ARDEIDÆ. (5 Genera, 80 Species.)

The well-known Herons and Bitterns are found in every part of the globe, and everywhere closely resemble each other. Omitting the minuter sub-divisions, the genera are as follows:--

_Ardea_ (60 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Botaurus_ (6 sp.), almost cosmopolitan; _Tigrisoma_ (4 sp.), Tropical America and West Africa; _Nycticorax_ (9 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Cancroma_ (1 sp.), Tropical America.

{360}FAMILY 114.--PLATALEIDÆ. (6 Genera, 30 Species.)

The Plataleidæ, including the Spoonbills and Ibises, have been classed either with the Herons or the Storks, but have most affinity with the latter. Though not very numerous they are found over the greater part of the globe, except the colder zones and the Pacific Islands. The following is the distribution of the genera:--

_Platalea_ (6 sp.), all the warmer parts of the globe except the Moluccas and Pacific Islands; _Ibis_ (2 sp.), Temperate North America and Tropical South America; _Falcinellus_ (2 sp.), almost cosmopolitan; _Geronticus_ (19 sp.), all Tropical countries and Temperate South America; _Scopus_ (1 sp.), Tropical and South Africa; _Balæniceps_ (1 sp.), the Upper Nile. This last genus the "Shoe-bird," or boat-billed heron, perhaps forms a distinct family.

FAMILY 115.--CICONIIDÆ. (5 Genera, 20 Species.)

The Ciconiidæ, or Storks, are mostly an Old World family, only three species inhabiting the Neotropical, and one, the Nearctic region. They are also absent from the islands of the Pacific, the Antilles, and, with one exception, from Madagascar. The genera are as follows:--

_Ciconia_ (6 sp.), ranges through the Palæarctic, Ethiopian and {361}Oriental regions as far as Celebes, and in South America; _Mycteria_ (4 sp.), inhabits Africa, India, Australia and the Neotropical region; _Leptopiltus_ (3 sp.), the Ethiopian and Oriental regions to Java; _Tantalus_ (5 sp.), the Ethiopian, Oriental and Neotropical regions, and the South-east of North America; _Anastomus_ (2 sp.), the Ethiopian region, and India to Ceylon.

FAMILY 116.--PALAMEDEIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)

The Palamedeidæ, or Screamers, are curious semi-aquatic birds of doubtful affinities, perhaps intermediate between Gallinæ and Anseres. They are peculiar to South America. The genera are:--

_Palamedea_ (1 sp.), which inhabits the Amazon valley; _Chauna_ (2 sp.), La Plata, Brazil and Columbia,

FAMILY 117.--PHOENICOPTERIDÆ. (1 Genus, 8 Species.)

The Flamingoes (_Phoenicopterus_) seem peculiar to the Ethiopian and Neotropical regions, ranging from the former into India and South Europe. America has four species, inhabiting Chili and La Plata, the Galapagos, Mexico and the West Indian islands; the others range over all Africa, South Europe, India and Ceylon. These singular birds are placed by some authors near the Spoonbills and Ibises, by others with the Geese. Professor Huxley considers them to be "completely {362}intermediate between the Anserine birds on the one side and the Storks and Herons on the other." The pterolysis according to Nitzsch is "completely stork-like."

_General Remarks on the Distribution of the Grallæ, or Wading and Running Birds._

The Waders, as a rule, are birds of very wide distribution, the four largest families Rallidæ, Scolopacidæ, Charadriidæ and Ardeidæ, being quite cosmopolitan, as are many of the genera. But there are also a number of small families of very restricted distribution, and these all occur in the two most isolated regions, the Neotropical and the Australian. The Neotropical region is by far the richest in varied forms of Waders, having representatives of no less than 15 out of the 19 families, while 7 are altogether peculiar to it. The Australian region has 11 families, with 1 peculiar. The other two tropical regions each possess 11 families, but none are peculiar. The Palæarctic region has 10, and the Nearctic 7 families. No less than three families--Chionididæ, Thinocoridæ, and Cariamidæ--are confined to the Temperate regions and highlands of South America; while four others,--Aramidæ, Psophiidæ, Eurypygidæ and Palamedeidæ,--are found in Tropical America only; and these present such an array of peculiar and interesting forms as no other part of the globe can furnish. The Phoenicopteridæ or Flamingoes, common to the Tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America, but absent from Australia, is the only other feature of general interest presented by the distribution of the Waders.

The Order contains about 610 species, which gives about 32 species to each family, a smaller average than in the Gallinæ or Accipitres, and only about one-fourth of the average number in the Passeres. This is partly due to the unusual number of very small families, and partly to the wide average range of the species, which prevents that specialization of forms that occurs in the more sedentary groups of birds.

{363}_Order IX.--ANSERES._

FAMILY 118.--ANATIDÆ. (40 Genera, 180 Species.)

The Anatidæ, comprehending the Ducks, Geese, and Swans with their allies, are of such universal distribution that there is probably no part of the globe where some of them are not occasionally found. They are, however, most abundant in temperate and cold regions; and, contrary to what occurs in most other families, the most beautifully-coloured species are extra-tropical, and some even arctic. The distribution of the genera is as follows:--

_Anseranas_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Plectropterus_ (2 sp.), Tropical Africa; _Sarkidiornis_ (1 sp.), South America, Africa, and India; _Chenalopex_ (1 sp.), Amazonia; _Callochen_ (1 sp.), South Europe, North, East, and South Africa; _Cereopsis_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Anser_ (13 sp.), Palæarctic and Nearctic regions to Central America and the Antilles; _Bernicla_ (12 sp.), Temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; _Chloephaga_ (5 sp.), South Temperate America and Aleutian Islands; _Nettapus_ (4 sp.), Tropical Africa and Madagascar, India and Ceylon to Malaya and Australia; _Cygnus_ (10 sp.), Temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; _Dendrocygna_ (10 sp.), Tropical and sub-tropical regions; _Tadorna_ (3 sp.), Palæarctic and Australian regions; _Casarca_ (5 sp.), Palæarctic, Oriental, Ethiopian, and Australian regions, to New Zealand; _Aix_ (2 sp.), Temperate North America and Eastern Asia; _Mareca_ (4 sp.), Palæarctic region, North America, Temperate South America, and Australia; _Dafila_ (3 sp.), all America and the Palæarctic region; _Anas_ (16 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Querquedula_ (17 sp.), {364}cosmopolitan; _Chaulelasmus_ (2 sp.), Palæarctic region and North America; _Spatula_ (5 sp.), all Temperate regions; _Malacorhynchus_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Cairina_ (1 sp.), Tropical South America; _Branta_ (1 sp.), Palæarctic region and India; _Fuligula_ (5 sp.), North Temperate regions and New Zealand; _Æthya_ (5 sp.), Palæarctic and Nearctic regions, India, Australia, and South Africa; _Metopiana_ (1 sp.), South Temperate America; _Bucephala_ (4 sp.), Nearctic and Palæarctic regions; _Harelda_ (2 sp.), Northern Palæartic and Nearctic regions; _Hymenolaimus_ (1 sp.), New Zealand; _Camptolaimus_ (1 sp.), North-east of North America; _Micropterus_ (1 sp.), Temperate South America; _Somateria_ (5 sp.), Arctic and sub-arctic regions; _Oedemia_ (5 sp.), Nearctic and Palæarctic regions; _Biziura_ (1 sp.), Australia; _Thalassornis_ (1 sp.), South Africa; _Erismatura_ (6 sp.), all America, South-east Europe and South Africa; _Nesonetta_ (1 sp.), Auckland Islands; _Merganetta_ (3 sp.), Andes of Columbia to Chili; _Mergus_ (6 sp.), Palæarctic and Nearctic regions, Brazil, and the Auckland Islands.

FAMILY 119.--LARIDÆ. (13 Genera, 132 Species.)

The Laridæ, or Gulls and Terns, are true cosmopolites, inhabiting the shores and islands of every zone; and most of the genera have also a wide range. They are therefore of little use in the study of geographical distribution. The genera are as follows:--

_Stercorarius_ (6 sp.), cosmopolitan, most abundant in cold and temperate zones; _Rhodostethia_ (1 sp), North America; _Larus_ (60 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Xema_ (1 sp.), North Temperate zone; _Creagrus_ (1 sp.), North Pacific; _Pagophila_ (1 sp.), Arctic seas; _Rissa_ (3 sp.), Arctic and Northern seas; _Sterna_ (36 sp.), cosmopolitan; _Hydrochelidon_ (12 sp.), Tropical and Temperate zones; {365}_Gygis_ (1 sp.), Indian Ocean and Tropical Pacific Islands; _Anous_ (6 sp.), Tropical and Temperate zones; _Nænia_ (1 sp.), South Temperate America; _Rhynchops_ (3 sp.), Tropical America, Africa, and India.

FAMILY 120.--PROCELLARIIDÆ. (6 Genera, 96 Species.)

The Procellariidæ, comprising the Shearwaters, Petrels, and Albatrosses, are universally distributed, but some of the genera are local.

_Puffinus_ (20 sp.), _Procellaria_ (18 sp.), and _Fulmarus_ (40 sp.), are cosmopolitan; _Prion_ (5 sp.) and _Pelecanoides_ (3 sp.), belong to the South Temperate and Antarctic regions; _Diomedia_ (10 sp.), comprises the Albatrosses, which are tropical, occasionally wandering into temperate seas.

FAMILY 121.--PELECANIDÆ. (6 Genera, 61 Species.)

The Pelecanidæ, comprising the Gannets, Pelicans, Darters, and Frigate-Birds, although universally distributed, are more abundant in tropical and temperate regions.

_Sula_ (8 sp.) and _Phalacrocorax_ (35 sp.), are cosmopolitan; _Pelecanus_ (9 sp.) is tropical and temperate; _Fregetta_ (2 sp.) and _Phaeton_ (3 sp.) are confined to Tropical seas; _Ptotus_ (4 sp.) to Tropical and warm Temperate zones.

{366}FAMILY 122.--SPHENISCIDÆ. (3 Genera, 18 Species.)

The Penguins are entirely confined to the Antarctic and South Temperate regions, except two species which are found on the coast of Peru and the Galapagos. They are most plentiful in the southern parts of South America, Australia, New Zealand, and most of the Antarctic islands, and one or two species are found at the Cape of Good Hope. The genera as given in the _Hand List_ are:--

_Spheniscus_ (1 sp.), South Africa and Cape Horn; _Eudyptes_ (15 sp.), with the range of the family; _Aptenodytes_ (2 sp.), Antarctic Islands.

FAMILY 123.--COLYMBIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)

The Northern Divers are confined to the Arctic and North Temperate Seas. The only genus, _Colymbus_, has one species confined to the West Coast of North America, the others being common to the two northern continents.

FAMILY 124.--PODICIPIDÆ. (2 Genera, 33 Species.)

{367}The Grebes are universally distributed. The genera are _Podiceps_ (26 sp.), cosmopolitan; and _Podilymbus_ (2 sp.), confined to North and South America. Some ornithologists group these birds with the Colymbidæ.

FAMILY 125.--ALCIDÆ. (7 Genera, 28 Species.)

The Alcidæ, comprising the Auks, Guillemots, and Puffins, are confined to the North Temperate and Arctic regions, where they represent the Penguins of the Antarctic lands. One of the most remarkable of these birds, the Great Auk, formerly abundant in the North Atlantic, is now extinct. The genera are as follows:--

_Alca_ (2 sp.), North Atlantic and Arctic seas; _Fratercula_ (4 sp.), Arctic and North Temperate zones; _Ceratorhina_ (2 sp.), North Pacific; _Simorhynchus_ (8 sp.), North Pacific; _Brachyrhamphus_ (3 sp.), North Pacific to Japan and Lower California; _Uria_ (8 sp.), Arctic and North Temperate zones; _Mergulus_ (1 sp.), North Atlantic and Arctic Seas. The last three genera constitute the family Uriidæ, of some ornithologists.

_General Remarks on the Distribution of the Anseres._

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The Geographical Distribution of Animals, Volume 2Chapter XXV: Part IV: Geographical Zoology (7)

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