1839.] Distribution of the Vulturidce, Falconidce, fy Strigidce. 321 



Art. VII. — On the Geographic Distribution of the Vulturidce, Falco- 

 nidce, and Strigidce ; being the first of a series of memoirs intended to 

 illustrate the Geographic Distribution of the Ornithological Kingdom. 

 By Wm. Jameson, Esq. Assistant Surgeon Bengal Medical Ser- 

 vice, fyc. 



Of all the departments of zoology, there is probably not one which 

 has attracted less the attention of naturalists than that of the geogra- 

 phic distribution of the animal kingdom ; although from a study of 

 it many details may be derived of essential importance to several of the 

 other branches of natural history. To elucidate partially the distri- 

 bution of one division of zoology, viz. ornithology, is the subject of 

 the series of memoirs intended to be presented to the Society. 



In entering upon a subject like the present, we do so with the 

 greatest diffidence, from the confusion which has existed, and still reigns 

 in the systematic department of ornithology. The number of synonymous 

 genera — some authors applying a certain suite of characters to a parti- 

 cular genus, others another suite either more or less extensive, and some 

 applying the name, but at the same time ignorant of the characters 

 upon which the genus is based, of which we have many examples, and 

 these too in works published at the present day — have presented to us 

 difficulties of no ordinary nature. To overcome these, we have exa- 

 mined minutely the magnificent collection in the Edinburgh Royal 

 Museum, as well as the principal public and private collections 

 throughout England. 



The system of arrangement we have adopted is that of the Baron 

 Cuvier, with certain modifications, which is undoubtedly the best at 

 the present moment. The system of Macleay, when properly followed out, 

 will probably however supersede all others. The attempts which have 

 as yet been made are very unsatisfactory, the best is that of Vigors. 

 Mr. Swainson in trying to find out his analogies, does not on many 

 occasions at all take into consideration the possibility of many groups 

 of birds having disappeared from the surface of our globe. His views, 

 no doubt, are very ingenious, but must be received with due caution. 

 We have adopted several of the new genera lately proposed by Vigors, 

 Lesson, Swainson, &c. these we shall notice in their proper place. 



When we take a general view of the ornithology of Asia, Africa, 

 Australia, North and South America, we find that it is in a manner 

 unknown. Of Europe and North America we have no doubt complete 

 lists of the species, but the remarks on their distribution are of a loose, 

 and unsatisfactory nature. The local Faunas published are few in 



