88 Mr. J. Whitehead on Birds 



On the other hand, Arachnothera, Ptilocichla, Macrornis, 

 and Sarcophanops, all closely-allied to Boraean genera and 

 species, do not extend further north than Samar, and if 

 Zosterornis be separable from Dasycrotapha, it may also be 

 added to the first seven genera. 



The Negros-Panay Province is a somewhat distinct one, 

 the lowland and some of the highland forms differing 

 considerably from those of Mindoro and the eastern islands, 

 Luzon, Samar, and Mindanao. 



I think that the only safe conclusions we can come to 

 with regard to the Philippine ornis are : — (1) That the land- 

 connection of these islands with Borneo extended over a very 

 considerable period (long enough to allow the above-mentioned 

 genera of mammals to extend their range as far north as 

 Samar), and that the greater number of Philippine genera 

 of birds found their way into the archipelago by this 

 connection. Whether Celebes received or gave the few 

 genera which it has in common with the Philippines is an 

 open question. Celebes was, perhaps, the recipient island. 

 (2) That a large number of genera came from the north, 

 either by a land-communication with China which has now 

 subsided below the China Sea ; or, if this connection did not 

 exist, by a line of direct communication between North 

 Luzon aud Formosa, most of which has subsided, leaving 

 only the Batanes Islands as evidence of the past. (3) That 

 Palawan has received all its genera from Borneo and the 

 Philippines. 



In concluding these remarks I may state that the total 

 number of species of which specimens were collected by me 

 in the Philippines amounts to 358. Of this number no less 

 than 229 are peculiar to these islands ; 66 are widely 

 dispersed over India, Indo-China, Borneo, aud Celebes; 

 61 are winter migrants from the north and do not affect 

 questions of geographical distribution at all, and 2 species 

 have been introduced by man. 



