of the Loioer Pilcomayo. 133 



Extremely abundant — one to be seen on almost every tree- 

 trunk, round which they work up spirally in a succession of 

 hops. Alighting on a tree, as it sets to work it utters a 

 short gurgly scrap of song. Like most of the Passeres here, 

 it is very tame, showing absolutely no fear of man. On one 

 occasion a bird of this species went down one of our hatch- 

 ways which had been left open, and was discovered pecking 

 away at a skin of lard which was hanging in the hold. In 

 this bird the optic axes of the eyes are much less divergent 

 than in most others, producing a very curious appearance 

 when it looks full at one with both eyes. 



72. XiPHOCOLAPTES MAJOR. [Op. cit. i. p. 201.) 

 (No. 356, (^ ; 10, ? .) Fortin Page. August 1890. 

 Abundant, especially in the open woodlands. It ascends 



the tree-trunks vertically in a succession of hops. Clinging 

 to the bark, its head thrown back and its mouth wide open, 

 it utters a low continuous squeaky sound, interspersed with 

 very characteristic, clear, abrupt notes, which are uttered in 

 pairs and i^egularly descend in pitch. Like Picolaptes aii- 

 gustirosiris, this species is very tame and allows one to 

 approach very close, though as a rule it endeavours to keep 

 on the far-away side of the trunk. One often sees one of 

 them descending a vertical stem in a succession of drops, 

 dropping a foot or so at a time, and instantly checking 

 itself Avithout apparent effort. On several occasions I have 

 observed ^Y. major feeding on soft ground, using its long bill 

 as a spade, and moving about by hops. 



73. XiPHORHYNCHUS LAFRESNAYANUs (d'Orb.) : Sclatcr, 

 Cat. B. XV. p. IGO. 



(Nos. 79, 161, S •) Near Fortin Donovan. April 26th, 

 1890. 



Frequent. In general habits it resembles a Picolaptes, 

 except that the bill serves only as probe and forceps. In 

 the Pilcomayo specimens the bill is even more than its 

 usual length. I have seen this bird, when it held an insect 

 in the tip of its bill, slide the latter down against the edge 

 of a branch, and so push the insect down to within reach of 



