Vol. XIX.-] IIai.l, The luis/crii Pctla-arctica and Auslralia. ^^ 



1919 J ^ 



Between these two regions the Indian Region lies, with its 

 zoological dependency, the PhiUppines (Map 11., / ). These harbour 

 both Australian and PaLxarctic birds (Megapode* and Loxia), 

 while Further India itself has passed on to Australia many genera 

 that are PaLxarctic {e.g., Acroccphahis, Reed-Warblers). 



The great Siberia has a pri'ponderance of cone-seed-eating birds 

 in the central area, Australian migratory birds in the north 

 (Limicolece), and true Pheasants in the south. There is an entire 

 absence of Parrots. 



In passing from Tasmania one leaves the insular form of Coot 

 {Tribonyx) (Map U., h) ; sees in the Commonwealth proper a host 

 of unique genera; leaves Australia at Wallace's line (Map II., g), 

 and passes immediately into a completely different fauna, with 

 its Woodpeckers {Picidcc) but not its Honey-eaters [Mdiphagidce). 

 The isolation of Australia now shows out as a clear sign of some- 

 thing very old, even of Mesozoic age. It is in Japanese waters 

 that the outlying marine representatives of the two regions meet 

 — the Short-tailed Petrel {Piifflniis tcnnirostris) and Guillemot 

 {Alca). 



In Map II. {c) there is, judging ]:)y the forest growtlis, a high 

 range of mountains acting as a partial barrier to expansion of 

 both faunas and floras adjoining. The bird-hfe on the eastern 

 side is mixed with Indo-Chinese species, while that of the western 

 side is European. At Yarkutsk {d) the Conifene are largely 

 preponderant, and it is the hard-billed birds which are in evidence. 

 Further north (Map II., c) the forest growth disappears, and it is 

 here the spring inrush and egg-laying of vast numbers of birds 

 from Australia take place. At (a) of the same map the most 

 northerly Finch in the world, the Snow Bunting {Plectra phcnax), 

 has its nest on the polar shore. 



It was in the taiga delta of the Lena River (Map II., a) that 

 I had my first and only experience, the photographs shown having 

 been made before the birds were disturbed. We may recall the 

 words of Henry Seebohm when referring to the Yenesei delta — 

 " Full of birds, covered by flowers, and full of mosquitoes." 

 From my notes I see that Mr. Trebilcock (my companion) and 

 myself arrived on 12th July in this broad northern home of our 

 sporting birds. For such a sight I had travelled 3,000 miles from 

 the main Siberian railway, and yet we had only two hours for 

 our inquiry at 72° N. We secured twelve species of birds in a 

 country new, sponge or bog-like, with far visions of water and 

 mosses. The weather was good, and the home for birds appeared 

 suitable ; here all were Limicoline, excepting a Lapland Finch. 



The great area of flat or undulating land reminded me of ricc- 

 fields, extending as far as the eye could reach. The Sandpipers 

 of different species fly separately, and yet the air is full of their 

 voice, as if there was a vast multitude. It is a tender sight to 

 see these individual, gentle birds in graceful flight— rapid and in 



* .1/. cuniingi, col. pi. vi., vol. xix., pt. i, lig. 2. 



