316 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION 
(OwL), and the Psitiaci have in NESTOR and Stringops (KAKAPO) 
two others that may fairly be regarded as types of as many 
Families. Very noteworthy also is the presence of the Family 
Acanthidosittide (SPINE-BILL), represented by two genera, Acanthi- 
dositta and Xenicus, proved by W. A. Forbes to belong to the Meso- 
myodian (INTRODUCTION) section or suborder of Passeres, which is 
most largely developed in the Neotropical Region. Of the higher 
Passeres, or what appear to be such, there is a proportionate allowance, 
but some of them are of a character so generalized that systematists 
strain their principles when bringing them under Families that exist 
elsewhere. TZurnagra, avery generalized Thrush, has been permitted 
to stand as the type of a separate Family, though Glaucopis has been 
referred to the Corvidx; Creadion and Heteralocha (Huta), not 
without violence, to the Sturnide (STARLING); Miro, Myiomoira, 
and GERYGONE to Muscicapidey or Sylviidx ; Certhiparus to Paridzx 
(Titmouse) ; Clitonyx to Timeliidx, and so on. With less hesitation 
can Prosthemadera, Anthornis (BELL-BIRD), and Pogonornis (STITCH- 
BIRD) be placed under Meliphagidx, so largely dispersed throughout 
the Australian Region. Alongside of these we have the cosmopolitan 
genus Anthus (PipIt), almost certainly a settler of comparatively 
recent days, since it has undergone so little modification ; while a 
species of ZOSTEROPS has, within the recollection of men still living, 
made its way over from Australia, and shews that the tendency 
to colonize is not confined to the human race. Another and 
apparently modern immigrant is offered by the genus Coturnix 
(QUAIL), but its representative has been long enough in the country 
to become specifically differentiated. Though abundant not many 
years ago, it has lately suffered so much from the practice of firing the 
grassy plains it frequented, that some believe it to be now extinct. 
Notornis, an exaggerated form of Porphyrio, is probably another, but 
a more ancient settler, since it has lost the use of its wings, though 
it possesses the purple plumage of its relatives. It is remarkable 
for being a bird which was originally described from fossil remains, 
and only some years later was found to exist, though in very small 
numbers and in certain restricted localities. A second species which 
inhabited Norfolk Island seems to have become extinct since the early 
years of this century. Its white plumage is likely to have hastened 
its doom. Of other forms there is not space here to treat, but it 
will be noticed that many which are most characteristic of the 
Australian Region are wholly wanting, a fact that helps to justify 
the separation of New Zealand as a primary Region on the ground 
of its complete isolation from a very remote time. Mention has 
been already made (EXTERMINATION) of the unhappy fate which 
awaits the surviving members of the New-Zealand Fauna, and its 
inevitable end cannot but excite a lively regret in the minds of all 
ornithologists who care to know how things have grown. ‘This 
