WCP4048

[1]

The Dell, Grays, Essex

May 8th. 1875

Dear Newton

On comparing the genera of Baird¹ & Sclater² with those given in the "Hand List" (on subgenera) I find that a very considerable proportion of the latter are sunk. Jordon[?], L[or]^d Walden, & [name illegible] seem to me to adopt a considerably larger proportion of the "Hand Book" genera. This would show that the American birds are not so minutely split up as I confess I thought they were. With very few exceptions, Baird & Sclater agree in the genera they use. I therefore follow them.

Now taking the distribution of these genera from Baird & Sclater I find there are 13 genera wholly confined to the Nearctic Region; 20 more [2] of which all the species are Nearctic, but some of them extend to Mexico[,] a few more to Guatemala, and 2 enter L. America, — but all probably as winter migrants. In this case, when the Neotropical region has no exclusively Neotropical species ;- when the species occur over a large Nearctic Area and a comparatively small Neotropical area, I think the genera must be classed as purely ^essentially Nearctic.

Three more genera are characteristically Nearctic, having but few Neotropical or Palearctic species.

The genera in these three categories are given in the enclosed list,- which please return when done with[?],- with any remarks you have to make.

The species of these genera form a very considerable proportion of the Land birds of the whole region and [3] differentiate it as strongly from the Neotropical proper (S. America) as they do from Palearctic.

I find I have omitted two birds [marked?] as from Madagascar in the "Hand List" -

Alesctes[?]³ -

and Turdus goudoti⁴

Can you tell me any thing about these?

I shall be glad of the list of Palearctic Genera, with [replies?] to above query within three weeks from the date,- when I hope to begin work again at a final revision.

Yours very truly | Alfred R.Wallace. [signature]

[4] P.S. Your suggested alterations of the position of genera & families (a good many of which I adopt) gives me an enormous lot of additional work, as it involves revision of numbers, properties, range &c. in each of the six regions or wherever the group is mentioned. But it must be done when I see it is decidedly for the better. A.R.W [signature]