^7 



1872.] ON THE BIEDS OF CELEBES. 131 



the Psittaci and Columbae Australian genera preponderate. Loriculus is classed as an Indian 



genus ; yet until the zoogeographical positions of the Philippines and of Celebes are determined 



the zoogeographical characters of Loricuhts cannot be established. Within the limits of the 



Philippine and Celebean areas, seven out of the thirteen known species occur. Another, 



L. amahilis, a representative form of the Celebean L. stigmatus, occurs in the Sanghir Islands, and 



is also Papuan, being found at Gilolo and Batchian. The remaining five, one of which {L. flos- Tr. Z. H, viii. 



cuius) is the Flores representative of the Javan L. pusillus, are peculiar to the Indian region. If, ^'' 



then, we cease to regard Loriculus as having an Indian origin, all the five genera of Psittaci 



known in Celebes are either Australian or peculiar. The Columbse, while imparting a decided, 



it may even be affirmed an absolute, Australian character to the Celebean avifauna, as clearly 



indicate a very close Philippine affinity. 



Among the Gallinse, Gallus and Megapodhos are severally representatives of equally im- 

 portant typical families, characterizing one the Indian, the other the Australian region. But 

 Celebes and the Philippines* are the only areas where representatives of the Phasianidce and 

 Megapodidte are associated. 



Among the Picariae, the presence of Scythrops can hardly be deemed sufficient to balance 

 the two genera of Picidse, more especially if Scythrops be migratory in Celebes, as in Australia. 

 But though three of the genera belonging to the Alcedinidse are Indian, yet the great richness 

 of the family in Celebes forms an important element in favour of the Australian nature of the 

 Celebean ornis. 



But to obtain a still more complete conception of the zoogeographical characters of Celebean 

 ornithology the following tables have been prepared, showing the principal Indian and Australian 

 genera that do not occur in the island. 



Notwithstanding the great preponderance of Indian genera, some entire famiHes, and a large 

 number of genera characteristic of, if not altogether peculiar to, the Indian regions are wanting 

 in Celebes. For instance, the following important families are without representation : — Sittidse, 

 Trogonidae, Megalaemidee, Paridte, Brachypodidse, Pycnonotidse, Laniidse, and Alaudidai. 



And the great families of the Picidse and Timaliidse are but poorly indicated — the first by 

 two genera, the last by but a single genus. Among the Grallse and Anseres, the Otididse, 

 Cursoriidse, Glareolidse and Gruidse, and the Phoenicopteridae, all families having representation in 

 the Indian region, appear to be unknown in Celebes. The absence of the Vulturidse is a feature 

 in common with the whole Indo-Malayan region. The number of Anatidse and Laridse recorded 

 from Celebes is so small that it seems probable that members of those families have been over- 

 looked by collectors. 



After excluding from the list of genera found in the Indian region aU those that do not 

 likewise possess an Indo-Malayan habitat, at least eighty-eight Indian genera are absent from 

 Celebes ; of these, twelve are purely Indo-Malayan. 



* It is as yet uncertain whether the Philippine Gallus inhabits the same islands as the Philippine Megapodii. Gallus 

 is only known for certain to occur in Luzon. 



