238 ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY. = 
In Miocene times it is evident that a multitude of species 
flourished very like those now existing. The fauna of Europe 
was then enriched with various kinds which are now more 
tropical, including Trogons, African Parrots, and Eastern 
Storks. In America, a Turkey then already existed. The Birds 
which have left their relics in Pliocene strata almost all belong 
to genera now existing, and some even to existing species. 
Caves and recent deposits have made known to us various 
Birds more or less allied to the existing Ostrich or Emeu or 
Apteryx. In Brazil there is a Rhea larger than either of the 
existing species. 
The remains of other remarkable Birds have been found in 
the same deposits. Amongst them is Harpagornis, which was 
a Bird of prey of so great a size as to have been able to 
prey upon the largest kind of Dinornis. Also a gigantic Goose, 
Cnenvornis. An extinct kind of Emeu (Dromeornis) has also 
beeen found in Australia. 
We have already spoken * of the Dodo and Solitaire as Birds 
which have become extinct in historical times, as also of the 
Dinornis, Aipyornis, and Great Auk +. Other Birds which may 
be mentioned are a crested Parrot (Lophopsittacus), a long-billed 
kind of Rail (Aphanapterya), and a curious Starling (regilupus 
varius), all formerly inhabitants of Mauritius. This Starling 
existed there till some forty years ago, and a specimen of it is 
preserved in the British Museum; as is also a large Duck 
(Somateria labradora), the last known example of which appears 
to have been killed in North America in 1352. 
A Parrot (Nestor productus), which inhabited Phillip Island, 
near New Zealand, appears to have become extinct within the 
last few years. 
GEOGRAPHICAL RELATIONS OF Brrps. 
As to the Geography of Ornithology, we have already, in our 
introductory chapter, said a good deal about the distribution 
over the earth’s surface of a considerable number of Bird-groups. 
Our aim here, however, is to endeavour to point out what are 
the main geographical divisions, Ornithologically considered, 
which the world can be divided into, and then to indicate some 
of the more interesting or important groups of Birds which 
* See ante, p. 64. t See ante, p. 22. 
