31
ZOOLOGICAL
Now World forms and a score of African ones. The Gonurinse include the fine and brilliantly-coloured Macaws and the only species of Parrot which occurs in North America; while the Pioninse comprise, amongst others, the well-known Amazon Parrots, in whose plumage green is a characteristic tint. The typical sub-family (Psittacinse) includes three species of Psittacus from West Africa, five peculiar “Vasa” Parrots from Madagascar, the Comoro Islands and the Seychelles, and a single form confined to New Guinea. The remaining sub-families (Nasiterninse, Palseorniihinse and Platycercinse) belong mainly to the Oriental and Australian Regions, with a few Ethiopian representatives. The Palseorniihinse include the true Parrakeets and so-called Love Birds, while in the Platycercinse are placed the well-known Grass-Parrakeets and Ground-Parrakeets.
STRINGOPIDiE (Owl Parrots ; 2 Species). Plate 14, Map vi.
This family includes only the peculiar flightless Owl Parrots of New Zealand. Two species have been described, but one of these is considered by some authorities as only a slight varietal form. Although the bird cannot fly, yet its wings are fully developed, and the loss of power is really due to the absence of a keel on the breast-bone, brought about by long disuse of the wings. The Owl-Parrot (Stringops habroptilus) has a peculiar soft greenish plumage, and this, together with its nocturnal habits and the ring of feathers round the eye, is responsible for its popular name. It feeds on a variety of vegetable substances, and is of greedy habits.
ORDER STRIGIFORMES (320 Species).
BUBONIDAu (True Owls ; 294 Species). Plate 14, Map vii.
The Bubonidse, with 30 genera, have a cosmopolitan distribution, some of the species having a remarkably wide range. They vary much in size, the Eagle-Owls of the typical genus Bubo being large enough to pounce upon and kill fawns, while some of the Pigmy Owls (Glaucidium) are hardly bigger than sparrows. Europe possesses about a dozen species, of which three are resident in Britain. These are the Tawny Owl (Syrnium aluco), the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus), and the Short-eared Owl (A. accipitrinus). The last-named is one of the most widely-distributed species of birds, visiting at various seasons nearly all parts of the globe, including the Sandwich, the Falkland, and the Galapagos Islands.
STRIGIDA¡ (Barn-Owls; 26 Species). Plate 14, Map vii.
These birds are all comprised within a single genus (Strix), and have a much more restricted range than the members of the previous family, although occurring in all the zoogeographical regions. One species occurs in Europe namely the White or Common Barn Owl (Strix J/ammea), and this bird is, moreover, a widely-distributed resident in Britain. Seven species occur in the New World, only one of which is North American.
ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES (507 Species).
SERPENT ARIHLE (Secretary Birds ; 2 Species). Plate 15, Map i.
The Secretary Birds are peculiar to Africa, and it is a matter of opinion whether the two species are really distinct. They owe their popular name to a peculiar tuft of feathers on the nape, which gives the birds some sort of resemblance to a clerk with pens stuck in his ears. They feed on snakes, birds, lizards, and other small animals, and being thus useful in the farmyard, are protected by law. They are handsome birds, about four feet in height, and of a crane-like appearance.
VULTURIDiE (Old-World Vultures ; 17 Species). Plate 15, Map i.
The members of this family, are, as their popular name implies, confined to the Old World. Seven genera have been differentiated, and most of the species have a wide range. Three species inhabit Southern Europe and a fourth occasionally. The Black Vulture ( Vultur monachus) is one of the best-known forms, occurring chiefly in the countries round the Mediterranean, but also found on the Lower Danube. The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), is also well-known and has a similar distribution. Seven species, known as Griffon Vultures, constitute Gyps, the largest genus in the family.
FALCONIDiE (Hawks, Kites, Eagles, &c. ; 482 Species).
Plate 15, Maps i. and ii.
This large assemblage of well-known Birds of Prey comprises no fewer than 77 genera, which are grouped into five sub-families. The distribution of each of these is shown separately on our Maps, and from these it will at once be noticed that, although the family as a whole is cosmopolitan, yet there is considerable difference in the range of the various smaller groups. The first sub-family (Polyborinse) comprises three genera and 13 species, known as Carrion-Hawks or “ Caracaras.” They are confined to the New World, where, however, only one occurs in North America. The second sub-family (Accipitrinse) is practically cosmopolitan, containing 10 genera and 147 species. These include Harriers (Circus), the Neotropical Harrier-Hawks (Micrastur), the African Whistling Hawks (Melierax), Goshawks (Astur), and Sparrow-Hawks (Accipiter). Five species claim a place on the British list, the commonest and best known of which is the Common Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter nisus). The third sub-family (Buteoninse), is almost as widely distributed as the previous one, not being well represented, however, in the Australian Region. It contains 16 genera and 75 species, and includes the
CYPSELIDiE (Swifts ; 100 Species). Plate 14, Map ii.
These interesting birds are essentially aerial in habit, spending most of the day in flight and seldom alighting on the ground or perching until night fall. They are usually divided into three sub-families, as given in our Map, where the distribution of each is shown separately. The typical sub-family (Gypselinse) is of world-wide distribution, with representatives in every region. Iu this group is placed the familiar British species, known as the Common Swift (Cypselus apus), a summer visitor of almost universal distribution in our islands. The Micropteryginse, which are known as Tree-Swifts, comprise seven species, inhabiting the Oriental and Australian Regions, and all belonging to a single genus (Micropteryx). The Chaeturinse include three genera, two of which (Chsetura and Cypseloides) may be called Spinetailed Swifts, from the fact that their tails are provided with rigid feathers, having projecting spring shafts. Chsetura pelagica is the so-called “ Chimney Swallow ” of the United States. ■Colloccdia, containing 18 species, is of special interest, inasmuch as some of its members build the well-known edible birds’ nests.
TROCHILIDiE (Humming-Birds ; 570 Species). Plate 14, Map iii.
These interesting and beautiful little creatures are essentially inhabitants of the great tropical forests of the Brazilian Sub-Region. A few species, however, occur in North America, one even ranging as far north, in summer, as Alaska. Two species are found in the island of Juan Fernandez, and about 20 in the West Indies. Southwards they range to Tierra del Fuego, where one species is found even in snowy weather. Several range to a remarkably high altitude in the Andes, where particular mountains have species peculiar to them. No fewer than 118 genera of Humming-Birds have been described. They are almost entirely insectivorous, taking their food on the wing or from flowers, in front of which they may be seen hovering, darting away suddenly with remarkable swiftness. This family includes some of the smallest known birds, and most of the. species are adorned with brilliant metallic plumage.
COLIIDiE (Colies; 14 Species). Plate 14, Map iii.
These birds, sometimes called Mouse Birds, are entirely confined to Tropical and South Africa, and form only a single genus (Colius). They inhabit forest districts and feed principally, though not exclusively, on berries and fruits. In external appearance they are somewhat finch-like, the most remarkable feature to the ordinary observer being that their four toes are all directed forward, giving the feet a curious appearance.
ORDER PSITTACIFORMES (580 Species).
NESTORIDiE (Nestor Parrots ; 4 Species). Plate 14, Map iv.
This small family, including only a single genus, is confined to New Zealand. The best-known species is that called by the Maories the “Kea” (Nestor notabilis). This is restricted to the South Island, and is remarkable for its carnivorous habits, attacking sheep by alighting upon their backs and tearing open the flesh until the kidneys are reached, upon the fat of which it feeds greedily. This destructive habit is said to have arisen since sheep were introduced into the island. Another species familiar to the Maories is the “ Kaka ” (N. meridionalis), which feeds on fruits and insects.
LORIID2E (Lories and Loriquets ; 87 Species). Plate 14, Map iv.
The Lories and their allies are confined to the Australian Region, the majority of the species (about 70) being natives of New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, while nine occur in Australia and Tasmania, and eight in the more remote islands of Polynesia. Fourteen genera of these parrots have been differentiated, and most of the species are clad in bright and beautiful colours. The principal genera are Trichoglossus, with 16 species, Eos, with 15, and Lorius, with 13. They live on the nectar and pollen which they extract from flowers.
CYCLOPSITTACID^E (23 Species). Plate 14, Map v.
This family contains a number of small fruit-eating Parrots, the majority of which are confined to New Guinea and the small adjacent islands, but Eastern Australia possesses two and Timor likewise two. Only two genera are known, containing nineteen and four species respectively. The prevailing colours of these Parrots are red, green, blue and yellow.
CACATUID2E (Cockatoos ; 30 Species). Plate 14, Map v.
At the present day Cockatoos are confined to the Australian Region, with the exception of a single species, which inhabits the Philippine Islands. It is interesting to note, however, that the remains of an extinct form have been found in the distant island of Mauritius. Seven genera have been described, the typical one (Cacatua) containing 17 species. Prom the true Parrots (Family Psittacidse), which have a remarkably wide distribution, Cockatoos may be readily distinguished by the presence of a crest of feathers on the head. In coloration also they are very different, the prevailing tints being white, grey, brown and black, while the green so characteristic of true Parrots is conspicuous by its absence.
PSITTACIDSE (Typical Parrots; 434 Species). Plate 14, Map vi.
The Psittacidse. are an important group, with representatives in all the zoogeographical regions except the Palasarctic. Roughly speaking, they are about equally divided between the Old and New Worlds, although the former possesses a slight majority. The genera, 58 in number, are grouped into six sub-families, two of which (Gonurinse and Pioninse) contain all the