THAMNISTES. © 205 
THAMNISTES. 
Thamnistes, Scl. & Saly. P. Z. S. 1860, p. 299; Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xv. p. 215. 
This genus contains two, perhaps three or even four, closely allied species, one of 
which is widely spread in our country from Eastern Guatemala to the State of Panama; 
another is found in Eastern Ecuador, and a third, if distinct, in Peru; the fourth is the 
bird described by Count Salvadori (Atti Soc. Ital. vii. p. 154) as T. affinis, a bird we do 
not know, and not referred to in Mr. Sclater’s Catalogue. There is little to separate 
Thamnistes structurally from Thamnophilus; the bill in the type is rather wider at the 
base than is usual in Thamnophilus, but this character is hardly maintained in 7. equa- 
torialis, and the fullness of the feathers of the lower back, upon which Mr. Sclater 
divides the two genera, is not a very tangible character and does not distinguish 
Thamnistes from all species of Thamnophilus. In coloration, however, the genus is 
very peculiar, being destitute of marks either longitudinal or transverse, except an 
indistinct superciliary streak. The concealed dorsal patch so frequently present in 
male Formicariide is found in 7hamnistes, but instead of being white as is the case in 
nearly every other instance, it is of a pale chestnut colour. On the whole we think it 
best to keep Thamnistes distinct from Thamnophilus, especially in view of the probable 
subdivision of the latter genus at some future date. It is, however, more nearly allied 
to some sections of Thamnophilus than they are to one another. 
1. Thamnistes anabatinus. (Tab. L. fig. 1, ¢.) 
Thamnistes anabatinus, Scl. & Salv. P. Z.S. 1860, p. 299'; Ibis, 1860, p. 399*; Lawr. Ann. Lye. 
N. Y. ix. p. 107°; Salv. P. Z. 8S. 1870, p. 194°; Zeledon, An. Mus, Nac. Costa Rica, 1887, 
p- 114°; Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xv. p. 216°. 
Olivascenti-brunneus, subtus dilutior; superciliis gula concoloribus macula postoculari obscura; alis extus 
rufescentibus, cauda dilute castanea unicolore; plaga magna dorsali celata pallide castanea, hoc colore 
extrorsum nigro marginato: rostro corneo, maxille tomia et mandibula pallida, pedibus nigricantibus. 
Long. tota 5°5, ale 2°6, caude rectr. med. 2°2, rectr. lat. 1°8, rostri a rictu 0-9, tarsi 0°8. 
® mari similis, sed plaga dorsali nulla. (Deser. maris et feminse exempl. typ. ex Choctum, Guatemala. Mus. 
nostr.) 
Hab. GvateMaLa, Choctum!, Cahabon, Teleman (0. 8S. & &. D. G.); Costa Rica, 
Angostura (Carmiol*, Zeledon®), Tucurriqui (Arcé, Zeledon *°), Pacuare, Naranjo 
de Cartago (Zeledon®) ; Panama, Bugaba, Calovevora (Arcé *). 
The original specimens of this species were obtained in January 1860, in the forest 
country of Vera Paz lying to the north of Coban, at an elevation of about 1200 feet 
above the sea-level!. Others were subsequently secured in the same district, and in 
the valley of the Polochic and Cahabon rivers, these places being the only ones in 
Guatemala where, so far as we know, the bird occurs. We have no record of its 
presence in the country situated to the southward of Guatemala until we come to Costa 
Rica, where it is found on the eastern side of the Cordillera up to an elevation of about 
