238 ELEMENTS OF OENITHOLOGT. 



In Miocene times it is evident that a multitude of species 

 flourished very like those now existing. The fauna of Europe 

 was then enriched with various kinds which are now more 

 tropical, including Trogons, African Parrots, and Eastern 

 Storks. In America, a Turkey then already existed. The Birds 

 which have left their relics in Pliocene strata almost all belong 

 to genera now existing, and some even to existing species. 



Caves and recent deposits have made known to us various 

 Birds more or less allied to the existing Ostrich or Emeu or 

 Apteryx. In Brazil there is a Ehea larger than either of the 

 existing species. 



The remains of other remarkable Birds have been found in 

 the same deposits. Amongst them is Harpagomis, which was 

 a Bird of prey of so great a size as to have been able to 

 prey upon the largest kind of Dinornis. Also a gigantic G-oose, 

 Gnemiornis. An extinct kind of Emeu (Dromceornis) has also 

 beeen found in Australia. 



We have already spoken * of the Dodo and Solitaire as Birds 

 which have become extinct in historical times, as also of the 

 Dinornis, JEpyornis, and Great Auk f. Other Birds which may 

 be mentioned are a crested Parrot {Lophopsittams), a long-billed 

 kind of Bail {Aphanapteryx), and a curious Starling (Fregihipus 

 varius), all formerly inhabitants of Mauritius. This Starling 

 existed there till some forty years ago, and a specimen of it is 

 preserved in the British Museum ; as is also a large Duck 

 (Somateria lahradora), the last known example of which appears 

 to have been killed in North America in 1862. 



A Parrot {Nestor produetus), which inhabited Phillip Island, 

 near New Zealand, appears to have become extinct within the 

 last few years. 



Geogeaphical Eelations of Birds. 



As to the Geography of Ornithology, we have already, in our 

 introductory chapter, said a good deal about the distribution 

 over the earth's surface of a considerable number of Bird-groups. 



Our aim here, however, is to endeavour to point out what are 

 the main geographical divisions, Ornithologically considered, 

 which the world can be divided into, and then to indicate some 

 of the more interesting or important groups of Birds which 



* See ante, p. 64. t See ante, p. 22. 



