GEOGRAPAICAL DISTRIBUTION 319 
must have tended to mingle the productions of islands so close to 
one another. The Faunas of the two are as distinct as those of 
South America and Africa, and it is only because they are separated 
by a narrow strait instead of a wide sea that they have become 
slightly connected by the interchange of a few species and genera. 
This narrow strait, it scarcely needs to say, must be of uncommon 
antiquity. 
Space does not permit our dwelling at any length on the groups of 
Birds which prevail throughout the Indian Region, but are wholly 
wanting in the Australian.! It must here be enough to mention 
that among them are the Jzidx (Ixus), Phyllornithine, Megalemine 
(BARBET), Vulturide (VULTURE), and Phasianide (PHEASANT). Some 
would add fringillide, but the real position of the so-called 
“FIncHES” of Australia must still be considered doubtful, and it 
may prove that they are the less- modified descendants of the 
generalized group whence sprung both the true Fringillide and the 
Ploceidzx(WEAVER-BirD), if indeed these can be justifiably separated. 
Then of forms weakly represented are the otherwise abundant 
Turdidz? (THRUSH), and above all the Picidx (WOODPECKER), of 
which some 4 or 5 species out of more than 350 just cross the boundary 
and occur in Lombok, Celebes, or the Moluccas, but are unknown 
elsewhere in the Region. 
Turning to the Families, which are most characteristic of the 
Region, we find among those that are almost but not absolutely 
peculiar? to it, first the Meliphagide (HONEY-SUCKER), one that, 
though not so polymorphic as has often been alleged, abounds in 
genera and species of diverse aspect, while only 3 of the former 
belong to the New-Zealand Region, and but a single species— 
Ptilotis imbata, which is common from Timor to Lombok—crosses 
the sea to Bali and trespasses upon the Indian Region. To this 
may be added the Pachycephalide (THICKHEAD), Campephagidx 
(CAMPEPHAGA), Artamidz and Cacatuide (CocKATOO), of which last 
but a single species ever passes the line by appearing in the Philip- 
pines, and the Megapodiidw (MEGAPODE), though they have a repre- 
sentative in the group last named, as well as in Borneo, and another 
in the Andaman Islands ; but are otherwise peculiar to the Australian 
1 Tn this and other like cases such forms have been called ‘‘lipotypes” by 
Mr. Sclater (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882, pp. 311, 312). 
2 It is almost certain that no satisfactory limits can be laid down between 
this so-called Family and Sylviide (WARBLER), but as the latter have few if any 
members in the Region now under notice, the result would hardly be affected. 
Indubitable Thrushes are, however, scattered among many of the chief groups 
of islands throughout the Pacific Ocean. 
3 It may be proper to state that here, and wherever the subject of Geographical 
Distribution is concerned, this word ‘‘ peculiar” has the technical meaning of 
“not occurring elsewhere.” 
