﻿GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



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various divisions of the Indo- and Austro-Malayan subregions, as proposed by Mr. Wallace, 

 are also corroborated by the distribution of this family. Celebes is a geographical puzzle, 

 and is remarkable for having three genera confined within its limits. Of these, Monachalcyon 

 and Gittura are certainly allied to the Austro-Malayan forms Melidora and Tanysiptera, and 

 indicate the affinity of the Alcedinidas, while, if it is true that a Tanysiptera is found there, 

 this will be another point of connexion with Austro-Malayana ; but, on the other hand, 

 the presence of a Pelargopsis, albeit of a different group from the Indo-Malayan members of 

 the genus, and of Halcyon coromanda, though not absolutely identical with the typical 

 species, forms a link of connexion with the Indo-Malayan subregion. But then there is 

 Ceycopsis, a truly Celebesian form, and a very remarkable one too; for it is to be noticed 

 that the two sections of the genus Ceyx, which I have called the rufous-backed section and 

 the blue-backed section, have distinct ranges, the one being Indo-Malayan, and the other 

 Austro-Malayan. Yet these two groups are only sections of the genus Ceyx ; the habits are 

 the same, and the form the same, only three toes being present. The island of Celebes is 

 the point where the two sections might be expected to join their range ; but till a year or 

 two ago no Ceycean form was known from this locality, and no true three-toed Ceyx has yet 

 been found there. Its place is taken by the recently discovered Ceycopsis fallax, which is 

 closely allied to Ceyx, but has a tiny inner toe, and, more curious still, unites the characters 

 of the two groups of the genus, which converge from opposite sides upon its flanks, as one 

 may say ; for it is red in general plumage, but has a bright blue back. The study of the 

 Kingfishers, therefore, does not throw much light upon the geographical affinities of 

 Celebes. The balance of relationship is in favour of Austro-Malayana ; but still an Indian 

 element is clearly present, while Ceycopsis bears the nearest relationship to Ceyx, on the one 

 hand, and on the other to the Ethiopian genus Ispidina as represented by Ispidina mada- 

 gascariensis of Madagascar. 



The Polynesian genus Todirhampihus is evidently a modification of a certain group of the 

 genus Halcyon; for it is impossible not to recognize the close relationship of Todirhamphus 

 tutus with Halcyon sacra, and T. recurvirostris with H. sancta. In plumage they are almost 

 identical; but the fiat bills of the Todirhamphi indicate a more insectivorous diet, super- 

 induced, no doubt, by their isolation, and consequent modification in the means of procuring 

 food. 



As regards the islands of Flores, Lombock, and Timor, the geographical distribution of 

 Kingfishers confirms the correctness of " Wallace's line," as drawn by that gentleman for 

 the division of the Indo- and Austro-Malayan subregions; for the affinities of the King- 

 fishers are decidedly Austro-Malayan. Halcyon aastralasice is closely allied to II. cinnamo- 

 mina; and the genus Caridonax, which is peculiar to these islands, is certainly a modification 

 of Tanysiptera ; for take away the tails of the two birds, and Caridonax might be mistaken 

 for a stout Tanysiptera. On the other hand the presence of a Pelargopsis indicates Indo- 

 Malayan affinities ; but this is to be accounted for by the narrow space which separates the 

 two subregions, and there can be no doubt that the Pelargopsis, which is a bird of strong 

 flight, like all piscivorous Kingfishers, could easily cross such a feeble barrier. 



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