96 Reviews. [,„f-o"ct. 



and shows the relation of each group to the others and of the 

 sub-region as a whole to its neighbours. 



The carinate Ornis of the Australasian sub-region is analyzed 

 more closely, and divided into four series of genera, namely — 



1. Genera peculiar to Australia. 



2. Typical Australian genera extending more or less into 



adjoining sub- regions. 



3. Typical Austro-Malayan genera represented by species in 



Australia. 



4. Wide-ranging genera penetrating to Australia through 



Malaya, some being exclusively Oriental. 



The fourth sub-region. New Zealand (including Lord Howe and 

 Norfolk Islands), is shown to be remarkable for the number of its 

 specialized forms and its generally aberrant Ornis. Colonel Legge 

 suggests that the present distribution of the Struthious birds, which 

 range from South America (Rhea) through New Zealand [Apteryx) to 

 Australia and Austro-Malaya (Emu and Cassowary), points to a 

 former land connection over the whole area, a conclusion to which 

 he is also assisted by the likeness in habits between Stringops (Owl- 

 Parrot) of New Zealand and Rhinochetns (Kagu) of New Caledonia, 

 though the birds in question are of widely different orders. The 

 former existence of the Moa there would indicate that New Zealand 

 was the central point from which the Struthious birds spread to 

 Australia on one side and South America on the other. 



En passant, the efforts of the New Zealand Government towards 

 preservation of diminishing species are commended. 



The second and longer part of the address deals with the 

 geographical distribution of families and genera in the Australian 

 Region. Land birds only, including as such the Herodiones 

 (Herons), Aleciorides (Cranes, &c.), and Fulicarice (Coots and 

 Rails), are dealt with, since the Limicolce (Plovers, &c.), Anseres 

 (Ducks and Geese), and Steganopodes (Cormorants, &c.), being 

 in the main birds of the littoral and of coastal waters, are of 

 no help in determining the ornithological relationships of land 

 areas. 



The scope of this, as viewed by the author, can only be indicated 

 here and there, and where it chiefly concerns the species of the 

 Australasian Sub-region. Taken in conjunction with its large 

 area, Australia contains few birds of prey. The number of 

 species of diurnal Accipitres is 28, and that of nocturnal Striges 

 only 14. In comparison with these small totals the numbers in 

 limited areas in other parts of the world may be cited, such as 

 Ceylon with 32 F alcoves and 12 Striges ; Britain with 24 of the 

 former and 10 of the latter ; and if we compare the Indian Sub- 

 region, with its 60 diurnal birds of prey, our Australian list is 

 small indeed. One notes that the most recent addition to our 

 Accipitres is Biitastiir teesa, said to occur sporadically in New 

 South Wales. 



It is the great order of Perching-Birds, the members of which 

 far outnumber those of any other order, through which the relations 



