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Show 1888.] FHOM EQUATORIAL AFRICA.. 19 of the work ; but I trust we may not have long to wait before an accurate map of the little-known district may be published under the auspices of Emin Pasha, who we all hope will soon return safely to Europe after the arduous and important duties he has so ably performed during many years in the Upper White Nile district. In m y present list I have followed, as closely as I considered advisable, the order of the species adopted by Dr. Hartlaub, and have given references, not only to all the above-mentioned papers, but also to Mr. R. B. Sharpe's "Notes on a Collection of Birds made by Herr F. Bohndorff in the Bahr el Gazel Province and the Nyam-nyam Country in Equatorial Africa," published in the Linnean Society's Journal (Zool.), xvii. 1884, pp. 419-441. I have also thought it advisable to give what I have considered to be the most important references for the identification of each species. I should like, in conclusion, to state that this collection has been entirely worked out in the Bird-room of the Natural History Museum, where I have found every convenience for regular study, with the finest collection in the world before me, which, owing to Mr. Bowdler Sharpe's untiring energy, is now as accessible for work as any small private collection, with this further advantage, that very few species are wanting, and generally a good series of specimens is available. I trust that these remarks may not lead to an overwhelming influx of ornithological students to the bird-room, for Mr. Sharpe's sake; but even then I believe that his courtesy would be equal to the task, as I presume that there is nothing which would please him more than to find the British Museum the centre of all ornithological study, as it ought to have been years ago, and as it most certainly was not in former days. Emin Pasha's consignment consists of two very distinct collections : one from what I shall call the Wadelai district, including Lado, Redjaf, Kiri, Tobbo, Wadelai, and Kiberi, comprised within the limits of 2° and 5° N. lat., and 31° and 33° E. long; the other is from the Tingasi district, including Bellima, Tomaja, and Tingasi, extending westward of 31°, and comprising portion of the Monbuttu country. Comparing these two collections we find:- Wadelai collection : - 1 1 4 species, 10 local, 1 W.-African, 27 N.E.African, 6 E.-African. Tingasi collection :-43 species, 3 local, 27 W.-xlfrican, none N.E.African, none E.-African. From the above it is evident that the Wadelai district belongs to the great N.E.-African or Abyssinian Region, and tbe Tingasi district to the W.-African Region ; and on regarding the close proximity of these districts, the fact of the fauna of a continent following its great watersheds and forests is strikingly exhibited, and the presence of an almost impassable barrier is suggested. Thus physical geography and ornithology lend each other a friendly hand in the elucidation of scientific problems. 2* |
