1873.] MR. El/WES ON ASIATIC BIRDS. 615 



10. On the Geographical Distribution of Asiatic Birds. 

 By H. J. Elwes, F.Z.S. 



[Keceived May 24, 1873.] 

 (Plate LI.) 



The geographical distribution of animals, a subject for many years 

 neglected by naturalists, has lately been taken up by some of our 

 best zoologists ; and though the day is far distant when it will be 

 possible to decide with any certainty how far their conclusions are 

 borne out by geology, botany, and other branches of natural history, 

 it must be allowed that the work done by them is extremely valu- 

 able and interesting. 



With regard to the distribution of birds, Mr. Sclater's paper in 

 the 'Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society' for 1859, 

 is the first, both in date and importance; but so rapidly has our 

 science advanced that it is already in some respects capable of 

 improvement ; and though my attempt to throw some additional 

 light on the subject is but a very imperfect one, I hope it will show 

 how much remains to be done in this direction. 



Our knowledge of Asiatic birds has within the last few years been 

 immensely increased by the travels and researches of several eminent 

 naturalists, among whom the names of Wallace, Jerdon, Swinhoe, 

 David, and Hume stand very high. Indeed I may say that in no 

 part of the world has so much zoological research and discovery been 

 recently made as in Asia. Having been led by my own travels iu one 

 of the richest and most interesting parts of the Himalaya to examine 

 the curious problems in geographical distribution which constantly 

 presented themselves, I have put together some notes on the results 

 of my inquiries, and beg the utmost indulgence in bringing them 

 forward, hoping that, if my conclusions are not generally accepted, 

 they may be the means of attracting some more competent naturalist 

 to the elucidation of the question. 



It appears to me that the best means of acquiring a true know- 

 ledge of the geographical affinities of a local fauna is to make as 

 accurate a list as possible of the species found in a district of mode- 

 rate dimensions, and to analyze them carefully so as to find the pro- 

 portion of peculiar and widely distributed species in it. If we go on 

 the principle of merely selecting a few notable or peculiar forms, 

 without reference to the much larger number of species (which for 

 our purpose are equally important), we may easily be led into false 

 tracks. Though in some cases the lists which I have drawn up are very 

 incomplete, yet I think that they are sufficiently perfect for my present 

 purpose ; and as accuracy of nomenclature is less important than cor- 

 rectness of locality, I have been especially careful on the latter point. 



I have restricted my work, however, almost entirely to the land- 

 birds, as I found that the waders and water birds, being mostly of 

 very wide distribution, would have added very much to the labour 

 of the analyses, and are of little use in showing the affinities and 

 peculiarities of a local fauna. 



