1839.] Distribution of the Vidtiiridce, Falconidce, fy StrigidcE, 323 



From numerous general works much valuable information may be 

 received, to notice all of which would occupy too much space. Among 

 the authors we may mention Temminck, Cuvier, Latham, Shaw, BufFon, 

 Vieillot, Lesson, Wagler, Jardine, Selby, Drahiez, Lichtenstein, Illiger 

 &c. To Illiger, however, we are indebted for having first taken up 

 the particular subject of ornithological distribution, and which he has 

 handled in a masterly manner, in a paper published in the transactions 

 of the Royal Academy of Berlin ; nor did he direct his attention to the 

 distribution of the ornithological kingdom alone. In the same tran- 

 sactions we find him discussing mammalia in a similar manner. Illiger, 

 however, in his paper on birds only notices the distribution of about 

 three thousand species, being little more than one-half of what is now 

 known ; and, moreover, most of his observations are now inaccurate, our 

 information in this department being much more extensive. Prince 

 Lucien Bonaparte has lately published some observations upon this 

 subject, but probably too general to be of much value ; and, lastly, we 

 may state that Mr. Swainson has lately devoted some attention to this 

 subject, with what success, we shall afterwards have occasion to point 

 out ; in the mean time we may remark, that most of the observations 

 which he has published seem to be more for the purpose of supporting 

 a favourite theory, than tending to advance ornithological geography. 



We cannot omit noticing that several excellent monographs of parti- 

 cular families have been published, among which we would particu- 

 larly mark out those of Wagler and Kuhl, upon the Psittacidce— Lesson 

 on the Trochilidce— Gould on the Rhamphastidce and Trogonidce — and 

 also Wagler's System a Avium, which may be considered as a series of 

 monographs brought into one focus. A continuation of this work will 

 be found in Oken's Isis. Numerous papers on genera and species have 

 been published in the transactions of various Societies and Periodicals, 

 which however we shall notice when we have occasion to consult them. 



Having now given a rapid sketch of the present state of ornithology 

 as far as the distribution of birds is concerned, we shall proceed to 

 the subject of our communication. 



Birds, considered geographically, may be divided into four grand di- 

 visions, viz. 1st, Those which are universally distributed; that is, found 

 in all the great continents of the world. 2nd. Those which are gene- 

 rally distributed, or found in three or more continents. 3rd. Partially 

 distributed, or those found in two continents. And 4th. Continently 

 distributed, or those found in but one continent; which last division 

 may be again subdivided with those which are generally distributed 

 throughout the continent, or confined to a part, or island, belonging 

 to that continent. 



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