BY ROBERT HALL. 



RELATIONSHIP OF THE AREAS. 



319^ 



Considering first the area 2, we find four associa- 

 tions — Xew Guinea on the north, area 3 to the south, 

 area i \vest^^•ard, and area 7 south-west. In comparing 

 the birds of Xew Guinea with those of York Peninsula, 

 we find that the birds of the Peninsula are more closeh/ 

 •allied to those of areas i, 3, 7 than those of New Guinea 

 are to them. A^rea 2 and New Guinea have so many 

 genera in common that Bowdler Sharpe united them as 

 the Papuan sub-region. The Paradisea and Cassowary 

 connect them (i). Area 3 is found by species to be more 

 closely in association with area 2 than New Guinea is, 

 and less closely as far as peculiar genera are concerned. 

 There are at least five (2) conspicuous genera in area 2 

 that are entirely absent from area 3. Other than these, 

 there are at least five (3) conspicuous genera in area 2 

 absent from area i ; and at least five (4) conspicuous 

 genera in 2 absent from 7. 



To indicate the strength of age of area 2 it may be 

 seen that it has twelve well marked genera within it and 

 peculiar to it as far as Australia is concerned. There are 

 six more genera in area 3 than in area 2, but, excepting 

 one, they are not peculiar to it. 



A suggestion, in explanation, is offered when referring 

 to area 3. The table III. shows 342 species as found in 

 area 2. 



GENERA IN AREA 2 NOT KNOWN IN 

 AREA 3 (5). 



(21 Genera=i2^ Per Cent, of the 172 Genera.) 



Gypoictinia i, 2, 6, 9 



Craspedophora 2 



Phonygama 2 



(i) As well as Graucalus (Coracina). Grallina, Pinarolestes, 

 Microeca, Malurus, Gerygone, Drymaoedus, Cracticus, Eopsal- 

 tria. Cinclosoma, Climacteris, Pachycephala, Podargus. 



(2) Craspedophora. Prionodura, Heteromyias, i^rses, 

 Calornis. 



(3) Ptilorhis, Geocichla, Acanthiza, Meliphaga, Meliornis 

 (all present in area 3). 



(4) Cinnyris, Phonygama. Craspedophora, Calornis, and 

 Ptilorhis. 



(5) Most closely related to New Guinea genera. 



