The ornithology ot northern Asia is even more closely allied to that of Europe than the mammal fauna. Nearly three fourths of the well-known species of Europe extend through Siberia into the islands of the Japanese empire. Here again, we have an absence of all tropical forms, and a great development of groups characteristic of cold and temperate regions. One of the most peculiar of these is the genus _Phasianus_, of which splendid birds all the species are restricted in their wild state to northern Asia. The still more magnificently clad gold pheasants (_Thaumalea_), and the eared pheasants (_Crossoptilon_) are also confined to certain districts in the mountains of north eastern Asia. Amongst the _Passeres_, such forms as the larks, stone chats, finches, linnets, and grosbeaks are well developed and exhibit many species.
The mammal fauna of the Indian region of Asia is much more highly developed than that of the Palaearctic. The Quadrumana are represented by several peculiar genera, amongst which are _Semnopithecus_, _Hylobates_ and _Simia_. Two peculiar forms of the Lemurine group are also met with. Both the insectivorous and frugivorous divisions of the bats are well represented. Amongst the Insectivora very peculiar forms are found, such as _Gymnura_ and _Tupaia_. The _Carnivora_ are likewise numerous, and this region may be considered as the true home of the tiger, though this animal has wandered far north into the Palaearctic division of Asia. Other characteristic Carnivora are civets, various ichneumons, and the benturong (_Arctictis_). Two species of bears are likewise restricted to the Indian region. In the order of Rodents squirrels are very numerous and porcupines of two genera are met with. The Indian region is the home of the Indian elephant--one of the two sole remaining representatives of the order Proboscidea. Of the Ungulates, four species of rhinoceros and one of tapir are met with, besides several peculiar forms of the swine family. The Bovidae or hollow-horned ruminants, are represented by several genera of antelopes, and by species of true _Bos_--such as _B. sondaicus_, _B. frontalis_ and _B. bubalus_. Deer are likewise numerous, and the peculiar group of chevrotains (_Tragulus_) is characteristic of the Indian region. Finally, this region affords us representatives of the order Edentata, in the shape of several species of _Manis_, or scaly ant-eater.