CECOLOGICAL 65 



resemble European birds, but yet differ sufficiently to be re- 

 garded as distinct species. Our British Rook, for instance, has 

 become replaced by, or shall we not say, transformed into, the 

 Chinese Rook {Trypanocorax pastinator) , and our Jackdaw into 

 the White-necked Jackdaw {Cohans daiiricus), while some 

 forms, such as Pencrocotus and the curious Siithora, are met 

 with in this sub-region, as also are the tropical Black-headed 

 Kingfisher {Halcyon piUuxta) and the Blue Roller {Eiiiystoinus 

 caloiiyx) . 



The Hi}nald-Caitcasia)i Sub-region is regarded by Dr. 

 Sharpe as a well-defined sub-region of great importance. 

 Herein he includes the Himalayas, in the higher ranges of 

 which, above 8,oo3 feet, several genera are met with that occur 

 nowhere else, such as the Snow-cocks {Tetraogallns) and the 

 Hill Partridge {Leriva^. Since the Snow-cocks occur also in 

 the lofty ranges of the Altai Mountains, as well as in the 

 mountains of Northern Persia, the Caucasus and Asia Minor, 

 these ranges are also included in this sub-region. 



The Ethiopian Region 



This great region includes the whole of Africa south of the 

 Tropic of Cancer, and the islands adjacent to the Continent. 

 The territory to the north of the Tropic of Cancer is regarded 

 as belonging to the Palasarctic Region. Some authorities, 

 however, contend that the Palsarctic area should not be ex- 

 tended beyond the Atlas Mountains. 



Quite a number of peculiar types belong to this great region, 

 such, for example, as the Ox-peckers {Buphagidcz), Madagascar 

 "Starling" {Enryceros), the Wattled Ant-thrush {Philepitta), 

 Plantain-eaters {Miisophagidcs), Kirombo {Leptosonia), Colies 

 {Coliidcc), the Secretary-bird {Serpentarius), the Guinea-fowls 

 {Nujnididtc), and last, but not least, the Ostrich {Strntkio). 



The Ostrich, indeed, is the most characteristic bird of the 

 Ethiopian Region. Though at onetime regarded as represent- 

 ing but a single species, at the present at least three are re- 

 cognised — StnitJiio canieius, S. australis and 5. niolybdopJiancs. 

 Some authorities further admit a fourth, 6". viassaicus. Since 

 the distribution of these several species at the present day does 

 not quite accord with the sub-regions presently to be described, 

 they are referred to here as birds characteristic of the regions 

 5 



