yiilyiq, 1880] 



NATURE 



297 



Amongst these are two generic forms not found else- two species only are peculiar to the island, Anas melieri 

 where, Plcctroptcrus and Thalassornis. Of the nine and A. bcrtiieri, the remaining seven being also found in 

 Anatidre hitherto registered as met with in Madagascar j Africa. 



2 —Rosy-billed Duck. 



In winter, as will be seen by Heuglin's recent works, 

 many of the Palearctic Anatidae penetrate into Eastern 

 Africa . 



III. INDI.\N Anatid^.— In this category again I 

 include only species that are permanent inhabitants of 

 some parts of the region. They are not numerous, con- 

 sisting only of twelve species. 



Amongst these there is only one peculiar generic form, 

 Rhodonessa. 



-. In winter, however, a host of immigrants from the 

 north invade the Indian region. Jerdon gives us accounts 

 of upwards of twenty northern ducks and geese which 

 are found in various parts of the Indian peninsula in the 

 cold weather. 



IV.— AUSTR.A.LTAN Anatid^. — As we advance farther 

 south the Anatidae commence to increase again. Instead 

 of only twelve native species we find the number in the 

 Australian region running up to twenty-nine. The greater 



•VT-- ■ 



Fig. 3.— Paradise Duck. 



number of these are found in Australia itself, that great 

 continent, although so dry and arid, being well supplied 

 with waterfowl. 



Among these there are no less than' five generic mono- 

 typic types peculiar to Australia, namely, Atiseranas, 

 Cercopsis, Stictonctta, MalacorhyncJms, and Biziura. 



