of Paisandu, Uruguay. 281 



33. Synallaxis sordida, Less. 



Another single specimen was procured of this bird on 

 28th October, regarding which I can offer no further infor- 

 mation. 



33. Anumbius acuticaudatus, Less. 



Very abundant. Every stunted little tree had one or more 

 nests, new or old. 



34. Phacellodomus ruber (Vieill.). 



A rather common species, but very difficult to get hold of, 

 as it either keeps in the centre of the hedges when ap- 

 proached or in grass-coverts, hides itself and refuses to be 

 put up. On the whole it makes little use of its wings. 

 Perched on one spot it gives utterance to a single harsh 

 monotonous note, which it keeps reiterating for hours at a 

 time, and which can be heard at a considerable distance. A 

 dull brown bird with a dull brown voice would fully de- 

 scribe it ! It also feeds on small beetles, another fact I find 

 chronicled, as if desperately hard up for points of interest in 

 its life-history. However, its nest is worthy of description. 

 It is usually placed at the extremity of a branch in some small 

 tree or hedgerow, occasionally over a stream at about six 

 feet from the ground, and without any attempt at conceal- 

 ment ', it is built of small twigs, after the manner of Anum- 

 bius acuticaudatus, that is, with a passage leading into a 

 chamber, but in this case horizontally. The nesting-chamber 

 is lined with woven hairs, fine roots, and feathers. The eggs 

 number four, and the breeding-season seems to be the end of 

 October and November, nests having been taken from 21st 

 October to 1st December. 



35. Thamnophilus argentinus. Cab. 



I only observed one of this species during my stay, and 

 this I shot in a hedge near head station on 28th October. 



36. Chlorostilbon aureiventris (d^Orb. et Lafr.). 



I was disappointed on finding this to be the only species 

 of "Humming-bird to be met with in this district. One or 

 two old nests which I saw were attached to the thatch-eaves 

 of a deserted house. 



