t,v-4l 



316 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 



(Owl), and the Psittaci have in Nestor and Stringops (Kakapo) 

 two others that may fairly be regarded as types of as main- 

 Families. Very noteworthy also is the presence of the Famil}- 

 Acanthidosittidx (Spine-bill), represented by two genera, Acantki- 

 dositta and Xenicus, proved b}^ W. A. Forbes to belong to the ]\Ieso- 

 myodian (Introduction) section or suboi^der of Passer es, which is 

 most largely developed in the TsTeotropical Region. Of the higher 

 Passeres, or what appear to be such, there is a proportionate allowance, 

 but some of them are of a character so generalized that systematists 

 strain their principles when bringing them under Families that exist 

 elsewhere. Turnagra, a ver v generalized Thi'ush, has been permitted 

 to stand as the type of a separate Family, though Gkmcopis has been 

 referred to the Corvidx; Creadion and Heteralocha (Huia), not 

 without violence, to the Sturnidai (Starling) ; Miro, Myiomomt, 

 and Gerygone to Muscicapidce or Sylviidsc ; Certhiparus to ParidcH 

 (Titmouse) ; Clitonyx to TimelUdse, and so on. With less hesitation 

 (V can Pros themad%^ra, Anthwnis (Bell-bird), and Pogonornis (Stitch- 

 bird) be placed under Meliphagidse; so largely dispersed throughout 

 the Australian Region. Alongside of these we have the cosmopolitan 

 genus Anthus (Pipit), almost certainly a settler of comparatively 

 recent days, since it has undergone so little modification ; while a 

 species of Zosterops has, within the recollection of men still living, 

 made its way over from Australia, and shews that the tendency 

 to colonize is not confined to the human race. Another and 

 apparently modern immigrant is offered by the genus Coturnix 

 (Quail), but its representative has been long enough in the country 

 to become specifically difierentiated. Though abundant not many 

 years ago, it has lately buftered so much from the practice of firing the 

 gxassy plains it frequented, that some believe it to be now extinct. 

 Notornis, an exaggerated form of Porphyrio, is probably another, but 

 a more ancient settler, since it has lost the use of its wings, though 

 it possesses the pui'ple plumage oi its relatives. It is remarkable 

 for being a bird which was originally described from fossil remains, 

 and only some years later was found to exist, though in very small 

 numbers and in certain restricted localities. A second species which 

 inhabited Norfolk Island seems to have become extinct since the early 

 years of this century. Its white plumage is likely to have hastened 

 its doom. Of other forms there is not space here to treat, but it 

 will be noticed that many which are most characteristic of the 

 Australian Region are wholl}^ wanting, a fact that helps to justify 

 the separation of New Zealand as a primary Region on the ground 

 of its complete isolation from a very remote time. Mention has 

 been already made (Extermination) of the unhappy fate which 

 awaits the surviving members of the New-Zealand Famia, and its 

 inevitable end cannot but excite a lively regret in the minds of all 

 ornithologists who care to know huw things have grown. This 



