Vultures range over all the great continents south of the Arctic Circle, being only absent from the Australian region, the Malay Islands, Ceylon, and Madagascar. The Old and New World forms are very distinct, belonging to two well-marked divisions, often ranked as families. The distribution of the genera is as follows:—
Sub-family I.Vulturinæ(6 genera, 16 species), confined to the Old World.—Vultur(1 sp.), Spain and North Africa through Nepal to China north of Ningpo;Gyps(5 sp.), Europe south of 59°, Africa, except the western sub-region, India, Siam, and Northern China;Pseudogyps(2 sp.), North-east Africa and Senegal, India and Burmah;Otogyps(2 sp.), South Europe, North-east and South Africa, India, and Siam;Lophogyps(1 sp.), North-east and South Africa and Senegal;Neophron(4 sp.), South Europe, India and the greater part of Africa.
Sub-family II.Sarcorhamphinæ(4 genera, 9 species), confined to the New World.—Sarcorhamphus(2 sp.), "The Condor," Andes of South America, and southern extremity below 41° south latitude;Cathartes(1 sp.), America from 20° south latitude to Trinidad and Mexico;Catharistes(1 sp.), America from 40° north to 40° south latitude, but not on Pacific coast of United States;Pseudogryphis(5 sp.), South America and Falkland Islands, and to 49° north latitude in North America, also Cuba and Jamaica.
Family95.—SERPENTARIIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
The singular Secretary Bird (Serpentarius) is found over a large part of Africa. Its position is uncertain, as it has affinities both with the Accipitres, throughPolyboroides(?) and withCariama, which we place near the Bustards. (Plate IV. Vol. I. p. 261.)
Family96.—FALCONIDÆ. (69 Genera, 325 Species.)
The Falconidæ, including the various groups of Hawks, Kites, Buzzards, Eagles, and Falcons, are absolutely cosmopolitan, ranging far into the arctic zone and visiting the most remote oceanic islands. They are abundant in all the great continents and larger islands, preferring open to woody regions. They are divided into several sub-families, the range of some of which are restricted. For this family as well as the preceding I follow the arrangement of Mr. Sharpe'sBritish Museum Catalogue, and shall give the approximate distribution of each sub-family, as well as of the several genera.
Sub-family I.Polyborinæ(2 genera, 10 species), the Neotropical region with California and Florida, Tropical and South Africa.—Polyborus(2 sp.), South America, and to California and Florida;Ibycter(8 sp.), Tierra del Fuego to Honduras and Guatemala.
CariamaandSerpentarius, which Mr. Sharpe puts here, are so anomalous that I think it better to class them in separate families—Serpentariidæ among the Accipitres, and Cariamidæ near the Bustards.
Sub-family II.Accipitrinæ(10 genera, 87 species).—Cosmopolitan.—Polyboroides(2 sp.), Africa and Madagascar;Circus(15 sp.), Old and New Worlds, widely scattered, but absent from Eastern Equatorial America, and the Malay Archipelago except Celebes;Micrastur(7 sp.), andGeranospiza(2 sp.), Tropical parts of Neotropical region;Urotriorchis(1 sp.), West Africa;Erythrocnema(1 sp.), Chili and La Plata to California and Texas;Melierax(5 sp.), Africa except West African sub-region;Astur(30 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Temperate South American sub-region;Nisoides(1 sp.), Madagascar;Eutriorchis(1 sp.), Madagascar;Accipiter(23 sp.), cosmopolitan, except Eastern Oceania.
Sub-family III.Buteoninæ(13 genera, 51 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Malay and Pacific Islands.—Urospizias(1 sp.), East and Central Australia;Heterospizias(1 sp.), Tropical South America east of the Andes;Tachytriorchis(2 sp.), Paraguay to California;Buteo(18 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Australian region and the Indo-Malayan sub-region;Archibuteo(4 sp.), North America to Mexico and the cooler parts of the Palæarctic region;Buteola(1 sp.), Veragua to the Amazon Valley;Asturina(7 sp.), Paraguay and Bolivia to South-east United States;Busarellus(1 sp.), Brazil to Guiana;Buteogallus(1 sp.), Guiana and Columbia;Urubutinga(12 sp.), South Brazil and Bolivia to Mexico;Harpyhaliæetus(1 sp.), Chili and North Patagonia to Veragua;Morphnus(1 sp.), Amazonia to Panama;Thrasaëtus(1 sp.), Paraguay and Bolivia to Mexico.
Sub-family IV.Aquilinæ(31 genera, 94 species), cosmopolitan.—Gypaëtus(2 sp.), south of Palæarctic region from Spain to North China, Abyssinia, and South Africa;Uroaëtus(1 sp.), Australia and Tasmania;Aquila(9 sp.), Nearctic, Palæarctic, and Ethiopian regions and India;Nisaëtus(4 sp.), Africa and South Europe, India, Ceylon, and Australia;Lophotriorchis(2 sp.), Indo-Malay sub-region, and Bogotá in South America;Neopus(1 sp.), India and Ceylon to Burmah, Java, Celebes and Ternate;Spiziastur(1 sp.), Guatemala to Brazil;Spizaëtus(10 sp.), Central and South America, Africa, India, and Ceylon, to Celebes and New Guinea, Formosa, and Japan;Lophoaëtus(1 sp.), all Africa;Asturinula(1 sp.), Africa, except extreme south;Herpetotheres(1 sp.), Bolivia and Paraguay to Southern Mexico;Dryotriorchis(1 sp.), West Africa;Circaëtus(5 sp.) Africa to Central Europe, the Indian Peninsula, Timor;Spilornis(6 sp.), Oriental region and Celebes;Butastur(4 sp.), Oriental region to New Guinea and North-east Africa;Helotarsus(2 sp.), Africa south of the Sahara;Haliæetus(7 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Neotropical region;Gypohierax(1 sp.), West Africa and Zanzibar;Haliastur(2 sp.), Indian Peninsula to Ceylon, NewCaledonia, and Australia;Nauclerus(=Elanoides) (1 sp.), Brazil to Southern United States;Elanoides(=Nauclerus) (1 sp.), Western and North-eastern Africa;Milvus(6 sp.), the Old World and Australia;Lophoictinia(1 sp.), Australia;Rostrhamus(3 sp.), Antilles and Florida to Brazil and Peru;Leptodon(4 sp.), Central America to South Brazil and Bolivia;Gypoictinia(1 sp.), South and West Australia;Elanus(5 sp.), Africa, India, and Malay Archipelago to Australia, South America to California;Gampsonyx(1 sp.), Trinidad to Brazil;Henicopernis(1 sp.), Papuan Islands;Machærhamphus(2 sp.), South-west Africa, Madagascar, and Malacca;Pernis(3 sp.), Palæarctic, Oriental, and Ethiopian regions.
Sub-familyV. Falconinæ(11 genera, 80 species), cosmopolitan.—Baza(10 sp.), India and Ceylon to the Moluccas and North Australia, West Coast of Africa, Natal, and Madagascar;Harpagus(3 sp.), Central America to Brazil and Peru;Ictinia(2 sp.), Brazil to Southern United States;Hierax(=Microhierax, Sharpe), (4 sp.), Eastern Himalayas to Borneo and Philippines;Poliohierax(2 sp.), East Africa and Burmah;Spiziapteryx(1 sp.), La Plata;Harpa(1 sp.), New Zealand and the Auckland Islands;Falco(27 sp.), cosmopolitan, except the Pacific Islands;Hierofalco(6 sp.), Nearctic and Palæarctic regions;Hieracidea(2 sp.), Australia;Cerchneis(22 sp.), cosmopolitan, except Oceania.
Family97.—PANDIONIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)
The Pandionidæ, or Fishing Hawks, are universally distributed, with the exception of the Southern Temperate parts of South America. The genera are:—
Pandion(1 sp.), the range of the entire family;Polioaëtus(2 sp.), India through Malay Archipelago to Celebes and Sandwich Islands.
Family98.—STRIGIDÆ. (23 Genera, 180 Species.)
The Strigidæ, or Owls, form an extensive and well-known family of nocturnal birds, which, although invariably placed next the Hawks, are now believed to be not very closely allied to the other Accipitres. They range over the whole globe, extending to the extreme polar regions and to the remotest oceanic islands. Their classification is very unsettled, and we therefore place the genera, for convenience, in the order in which they follow each other in theHand List of Birds. Those adopted by most ornithologists are the following:—
Surnia(1 sp.), the Arctic regions of both hemispheres;Nyctea(1 sp.), South Carolina to Greenland and Northern Europe;Athene(40 sp.), the Eastern hemisphere to New Zealand and the Solomon Islands;Ninox(7 sp.), the Oriental region, North China and Japan;Glaucidium(7 sp.), Neotropical region, California, and Oregon, Europe to North China;Micrathene(1 sp.), Mexico and Arizona;Pholeoptynx(2 sp.), Neotropical region, Texas, and North-west America;Bubo(16 sp.), universally distributed, excluding the Australian region;Ketupa(3 sp.), the Oriental region, Palestine;Scotopelia(2 sp.), West and South Africa;Scops(30 sp.), universally distributed, excluding Australia and Pacific Islands;Gymnoglaux(2 sp.), Antilles;Lophostrix(2 sp.), Lower Amazon to Guatemala;Syrnium(22 sp.), all regions but the Australian;Ciccaba(10 sp.), Paraguay to Mexico;Nyctalatinus(1 sp.), Columbia;Pulsatrix(2 sp.), Brazil and Peru to Guatemala;Asio(6 sp.), all regions but the Australian, Sandwich Islands;Nyctalops(1 sp.), Cuba and Mexico to Brazil and Monte Video;Pseudoscops(1 sp.), Jamaica;Nyctala(4 sp.), the North Temperate zone;Strix(18 sp.), universally distributed;Phodilus(1 sp.), Himalayas and Malaya.
In Mr. Sharpe's Catalogue (published while this work was passing through the press) the genera of Owls are reduced to 19, arranged in two families—Strigidæ, containing our last two genera, and Bubonidæ, comprising the remainder. The species are increased to 190; but some genera are reduced, asStrix, which is said to contain only 5 species.
General Remarks on the Distribution of the Accipitres.
The Birds of Prey are so widely distributed over the world's surface that their general distribution calls for few remarks. Of the four families all but one are cosmopolites, Vultures alone being absent from the Australian region, as well as from Indo-Malaya and Madagascar. If we take the sub-families, we find that each region has several which are confined to it. The only parts of the world where there is a marked deficiency of Accipitres is in the islands of the Pacific; and it may be noted, as a rule, that these birds are more abundant in continents than in islands. There is not so much difference between the number of Birds of Prey in tropical and temperate regions, as is found in most other groups of land-birds. North America and Europe have about 60 species each, while India has about 80, and South America about 120. The total number of Accipitres is 550 comprised in 104 genera, and 4 (or perhaps more properly 5) families. In this estimate I have not included the Serpentariidæ, containing the Secretary Bird of Africa, as there is some doubt whether it really belongs to the Order.
Order VIII.—GRALLÆ.
Family99.—RALLIDÆ. (18 Genera, 153 Species.)
The Rails are among the most widely distributed families of birds, many of the genera being cosmopolitan, and several of thespecies ranging over half the globe. They are found in many remote islands; and in some of these—as theGallinulaof Tristan d'Acunha, and theNotornisof Lord Howe's Island and New Zealand,—they have lost the power of flight. The classification of the Rallidæ is not satisfactory, and the following enumeration of the genera must only be taken as affording a provisional sketch of the distribution of the group:—
Rallus(18 sp.),Porzana(24 sp.),Gallinula(17 sp.), andFulica(10 sp.), have a world-wide range;Ortygometra(1 sp.), ranges over the whole North Temperate zone;Porphyrio(14 sp.), is more especially Oriental and Australian, but occurs also in South America, in Africa, and in South Europe;Eulabeornis(15 sp.), is Ethiopian, Malayan, and Australian;Himantornis(1 sp.), is West African only;Aramides(24 sp.), is North and South American;Rallina(16 sp.), is Oriental, but ranges eastward to Papua;Habroptila(1 sp.), is confined to the Moluccas;Pareudiastes(1 sp.), the Samoa Islands;Tribonyx(4 sp.), is Australian, and has recently been found also in New Zealand;Ocydromus(4 sp.);Notornis(2 sp.), (Plate XIII. Vol. I. p. 455); andCabalus(1 sp.), are peculiar to the New Zealand group.
The sub-family, Heliornithinæ (sometimes classed as a distinct family) consists of 2 genera,Heliornis(1 sp.), confined to the Neotropical region; andPodica(4 sp.), the Ethiopian region excluding Madagascar, and with a species (perhaps forming another genus) in Borneo.
Extinct Rallidæ.—Remains of some species of this family have been found in the Mascarene Islands, and historical evidence shows that they have perhaps been extinct little more than a century. They belong to the genusFulica, and to two extinct genera,AphanapteryxandErythromachus. TheAphanapteryxwas a large bird of a reddish colour, with loose plumage, and perhaps allied toOcydromus.Erythromachuswas much smaller, of a grey-and-white colour, and is said to have lived chiefly on the eggs of the land-tortoises. (SeeIbis, 1869, p. 256; andProc. Zool. Soc., 1875, p. 40.)
Family100.—SCOLOPACIDÆ. (21 Genera, 121 Species.)
The Scolopacidæ, comprehending the Snipes, Sandpipers, Curlews, and allied genera, are perhaps as truly cosmopolitan as any family of birds, ranging to the extreme north and visiting the remotest islands. The genera of universal distribution are the following:—
Numenius(16 sp.);Limosa(6 sp.);Totanus(12 sp.);Tringoides, (6 sp.);Himantopus(6 sp.);Tringa(20 sp.); andGallinago(24 sp.). Those which have a more or less restricted distribution are:—
Ibidorhyncha(1 sp.), Central Asia and the Himalayas (Plate VII. Vol. I. p. 331);Helodromas(1 sp.), Palæarctic region and North India;Terekia(1 sp.), East Palæarctic, wandering to India and Australia;Recurvirostra(6 sp.), Nearctic region to the High Andes, South Palæarctic, East and South Africa, Hindostan and Australia;Micropelama(1 sp.), North America to Chili;Machetes(1 sp.), Palæarctic region and Hindostan (Plate I. Vol. I. p. 195);Ereunetes(3 sp.), Nearctic and Neotropical;Eurinorhynchus(1 sp.), North-east Asia and Bengal;Calidris(1 sp.), all regions but Australian;Macrorhamphus(3 sp.), Palæarctic and Nearctic, visits Brazil and India;Scolopax(4 sp.), the whole Palæarctic region, to India, Java, and Australia;Philohela(1 sp.), East Nearctic;Rhynchæa(4 sp.), Ethiopian and Oriental, Australia, and Temperate South America;Phalaropus(3 sp.), North Temperate zone, and West Coast of America to Chili.
Family101.—CHIONIDIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)
The Sheath-bills,Chionis(2 sp.), are curious white birds, whose thick bill has a horny sheath at the base. Their nearest ally isHæmatopus, a genus of Charadriidæ. These birds are confined to the Antarctic Islands, especially the Falkland Islands, the Crozets and Kerguelen's Land.
Family102.—THINOCORIDÆ. (2 Genera, 6 Species.)
The Thinocoridæ, or Quail-snipes, are small birds, confined to Temperate South America. They have much the appearance of Quails but are more nearly allied to Plovers. The two genera are:—
Attagis(4 sp.), Falkland Islands, Straits of Magellan, Chili, Bolivia, and the High Andes of Peru and Ecuador;Thinocorus(2 sp.), La Plata, Chili, and Peru. (Plate XVI. Vol. II. p.40.)
Family103.—PARRIDÆ. (2 Genera, 11 Species.)
The Parridæ, or Jacanas, are remarkable long-toed birds, often of elegant plumage, frequenting swamps and marshes, and walking on the floating leaves of aquatic plants. They are found in all the tropics.Parra(10 sp.), has the distribution of the family;Hydrophasianus(1 sp.), is confined to the Oriental region.
Family104.—GLAREOLIDÆ. (3 Genera, 20 Species.)
This family, comprising the Pratincoles and Coursers, is universally distributed over the Old World and to Australia.
Glareola(9 sp.), has the distribution of the family;Pluvianus(1 sp.), is confined to North Africa;Cursorius(10 sp.), ranges over Africa, South Europe and India.
The position of the genusGlareolais uncertain, for though generally classed here, Prof. Lilljeborg considers it to be an aberrant form of the Caprimulgidæ! It differs, in its insectivorous habits and in many points of external structure, from all its allies, and should probably form a distinct family.
Family105.—CHARADIIDÆ. (19 Genera, 101 Species.)
The extensive family of the Plovers and their numerous allies, ranges over the whole globe. The genera now usually admitted into this family are the following:—
Œdicnemus(9 sp.), is only absent from North America;Æsacus(2 sp.), India to Ceylon, Malay Islands and Australia;Vanellus(3 sp.), Palæarctic and Neotropical regions;Chætusia(15 sp.), the whole Eastern Hemisphere;Erythrogonys(1 sp.), Australia;Hoplopterus(10 sp.), widely scattered, but absent from North America;Squatarola(1 sp), all the regions;Charadrius(14 sp.), cosmopolitan;Eudromias(5 sp.), Eastern Hemisphere and South Temperate America;Ægialitis(22 sp.), cosmopolitan;Oreophilus(1 sp.), South Temperate America;Thinornis(2 sp.), New Zealand;Anarhynchus(1 sp.), New Zealand (Plate XIII. Vol I. p. 455);Hæmatopus(9 sp.), cosmopolitan;Strepsilas(2 sp.) almost cosmopolitan;Aphriza(1 sp.), West Coast of America;Pluvianellus(1 sp.), Straits of Magellan;Dromas(1 sp.), India, Madagascar, and North-east Africa;Pedionomus(1 sp.), Australia. This last genus has usually been placed with the Turnicidæ.
Family106.—OTIDIDÆ. (2 Genera, 26 Species.)
The Otididæ, or Bustards, occur in all parts of the Old World and Australia where there are open tracts, being only absent from Madagascar and the Malay Archipelago.
Otis(2 sp.), ranges over most of the Palæarctic region; whileEupodotis(24 sp.), has the range of the family, but is most abundant in the Ethiopian region, which contains three-fourths of the whole number of species.
Family107.—GRUIDÆ. (3 Genera, 16 Species.)
The Gruidæ, or Cranes, are found in all the regions except the Neotropical.
Grus(12 sp.) inhabits the southern and western United States, the whole Palæarctic region, South-east Africa, India, and Australia;Anthropoides(2 sp.), Europe, North and South Africa and India;Balearica(2 sp.), the Ethiopian region (except Madagascar).
Family108.—CARIAMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)
The genusCariama(2 sp.), consists of remarkable crested birds inhabiting the mountains and open plains of Brazil and La Plata. In the British Museum Catalogue of the Birds of Prey, they are classed as aberrant Falconidæ, but their anomalous characters seem to require them to be placed in a distinct family, which seems better placed among the Waders.
Family109.—ARAMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)
The Guaraünas are birds which have somewhat the appearance of Herons, but which are usually classed with the Rails. They are now, however, considered to form a distinct family. The only genus,Aramus(2 sp.), inhabits the Neotropical region, from Mexico and Cuba to Central Brazil.
Family110.—PSOPHIIDÆ. (1 Genus, 6 Species.)
The remarkable and beautiful birds called Trumpeters, are confined to the various parts of the Amazon valley; and it is an interesting fact, that the range of each species appears to be bounded by some of the great rivers. Thus,Psophia crepitansinhabits the interior of Guiana as far as the south bank of the Rio Negro; on the opposite or north bank of the Rio NegroPsophia ochropterais found; beyond the next great rivers, Japura and Iça,Psophia napensisoccurs; on the south bank of the Amazon, west of the Madeira, we have the beautifulPsophia leucoptera; east of the Madeira this is replaced byPsophia viridis, while near Pará, beyond the Tapajoz, Xingu and Tocantins, there is another species,Psophia obscura. Other species may exist in the intervening river districts; but we have here, apparently, a case of a number of well-marked species of birds capable of flight, yet with their range in certain directions accurately defined by great rivers. (Plate XV. Vol. II. p.28.)
Family111.—EURYPYGIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)
The Eurypygidæ, or Sun-Bitterns, are small heron-like birds with beautifully-coloured wings, which frequent the muddy and wooded river-banks of tropical America. The only genus,Eurypyga(2 sp.), ranges from Central America to Brazil.
Family112.—RHINOCHETIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
The genusRhinochetus(1 sp.), consists of a singular bird called the Kagu, which inhabits New Caledonia, an island which may be placed with almost equal propriety in our 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Australian sub-regions. It is a bird of a bluish ash-colour, with a loose plumage, partaking something of the appearance of Rail, Plover, and Heron, but with peculiarities of structure which require it to be placed in a distinct family. Its anatomy shows that its nearest allies are the South American genera,EurypygaandPsophia.
Family113.—ARDEIDÆ. (5 Genera, 80 Species.)
The well-known Herons and Bitterns are found in every part of the globe, and everywhere closely resemble each other. Omitting the minuter sub-divisions, the genera are as follows:—
Ardea(60 sp.), cosmopolitan;Botaurus(6 sp.), almost cosmopolitan;Tigrisoma(4 sp.), Tropical America and West Africa;Nycticorax(9 sp.), cosmopolitan;Cancroma(1 sp.), Tropical America.