1839.] Distribution of the Vulturidce, Falconidce, § Strigidce 32o 



extensive distribution, yet in their subdivisions they are more restricted ; 

 for we find the Vultures, properly so called, entirely in the Old world, 

 their place being supplied in the New by the species of the genus 

 Sarcoramphus. Nor do the different divisions of the Vultures stand thus 

 alone in representing each other in the different continents, it being a 

 law extending through many groups of the ornithological system. Thus 

 the Platyrhynchi of the New world are represented in Asia by the Eury- 

 laimedce. The Pardalotidce of Australia are represented in Asia by the 

 Calyptominedce, and in the New world by the Piprince. The Buccomidce 

 of Asia are represented in Africa by the Pogonidce, and in the new 

 world by the Tamatiadce. The Rhamphastidce of South America are 

 represented in Asia and Africa by the Buceridc&, and in Australia by the 

 Scytliropidce. The Oriolidce of the Old world are represented by the 

 Quiscalidce in the New, which group, with one exception, as in the Pi' 

 prince, is confined to America. The Melleagridce of America are repre- 

 sented in Africa by the Namidce, in Asia by the Phananidce, and in 

 Australia by the Alecturidce. And, lastly, the Strutkionidce of Africa are 

 represented in America by the Rheadce, in Australia by the Casuaridce, 

 and in Europe and Asia by the Otidce. Numerous other examples could 

 be given, but there are still a great many genera which form as it were 

 isolated examples to individual continents, and for which we cannot find 

 any representations. Thus we have no tribe in New Holland to represent 

 the Piciance ; no tribe in Europe to represent the Psittacidce ; no tribe in 

 Asia, Australia, or America to represent the Scopidce of Africa ; and, in 

 fine, no tribe in any of the other continents to represent the Musopha- 

 gidce or Gypogeranidce of Africa. Whether there ever existed in the 

 different continents groups representing each other to a greater extent 

 than we have at present, will probably remain a mystery, even although 

 organic remains should be found ; birds not presenting in their osteo- 

 logy, at least in many cases, sufficiently marked characters. Comprehended 

 in the genus Vulture, properly so called, we have eleven species ; of 

 those, three are found in Europe, but none proper to it, being also found 

 in Asia and Africa ; in Asia six, three of which are properly, one of 

 them being also found in the Indian islands ; in Africa eight, five of 

 which are proper ; supplying their place, as already stated, we have in 

 the New world Sarcoramphi, of which there are four species common 

 to North and South America, if the opinion of Nuttal is correct in 

 regard to the occurrence of the Condor in the North American con- 

 tinent. It is probable however that it may have been confounded with 

 the Sarcoramphus Calif or nianus, a nearly allied species. The Sarco- 

 ramphus papa seldom goes as far north as the United States ; 

 Bonaparte states that it is occasionally met with in Florida, which is pro- 



