SORDID SPINE-TAIL 217 
think, less retiring, for I have seen it associating 
with other species of Synallaxis. 
On comparing specimens together, however, it is 
easy to separate the present bird from S. sordida by 
noticing the colour of the external rectrices, which 
are black, externally edged with rufous, instead of 
being wholly rufous. 
SORDID SPINE-TAIL 
Synallaxis sordida 
Above earthy brown; wing feathers blackish brown, their basal 
parts pale chestnut-brown, forming a transverse bar; tail blackish, 
the three outer rectrices and outer web of the fourth rectrix on each 
side wholly pale chestnut-brown ; beneath pale earthy brown, clearer 
on the belly, and with a bright fulvous spot on the throat; under 
wing-coverts pale cinnamon; length 6.9 inches. 
THIS species, which, on close comparison, is at once 
distinguishable from S$. modesta by the absence of 
any black colour on the three exterior pairs of tail- 
feathers, ranges from the extreme north of the 
Argentine Republic to Patagonia, where it is quite 
common, and is invariably found in dry situations 
abounding in thorny vegetation. 
It does not migrate, and lives with its mate in 
thorny bushes, but does not attempt to conceal itself, 
and sits much on the summit of a bush, where the 
male in spring utters at intervals a clear, trilling call. 
In its inactive disposition, slow deliberate move- 
ments, also in its language, it strikingly resembles 
