chap, xiv.] OF THE TIMOR GROUP. 321 



any conclusion on the matter. It will be as well to com- 

 bine these with the former table thus : 



In Lombock. In Flores. In Timor. 



Javan birds 33 23 11 



Closely allied to Javan birds . . 1 5 6 



Total 34 28 17 



Australian birds 4 5 10 



Closely allied to Australian birds .3 9 26 



Total 7 14 36 



We now see that the total number of birds which seem 

 to have been derived from Java and Australia is very 

 nearly equal, but there is this remarkable difference be- 

 tween the two series : that whereas the larger proportion 

 by far of the Java set are identical with those still inhabit- 

 ing that country, an almost equally large proportion of the 

 Australian set are distinct, though often very closely allied 

 species. It is to be observed also, that these representative 

 or allied species diminish in number as they recede from 

 Australia, while they increase in number as they recede 

 from Java. There are two reasons for this, one being that 

 the islands decrease rapidly in size from Timor to Lom- 

 bock, and can therefore support a decreasing number of 

 species ; the other and the more important is, that the dis- 

 tance of Australia from Timor cuts off the supply of fresh 

 immigrants, and has thus allowed variation to have full 



VOL. I. Y 



