SYNALLAXIS MODESTA. 183 



Hab. Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Patagonia. 



This species has a wide range south of the Equator, being found in 

 Bolivia, Uruguay, and throughout the Argentine Republic, including 

 Patagonia. In its habits it differs widely from other Synallaxes, and 

 in structure and coloration is also unlike its relatives. 



The beak is longer and more curved, the claws more crooked, and 

 the tail stiffer than in other Synallaxes, and this difference in structure 

 corresponds to a different mode of life. The Striped Spine- tail creeps 

 on the trunk and larger branches of trees, seeking its insect-food in 

 the crevices of the bark, and when seen clinging to the trunk, supported 

 by its tail in a vertical position, with head thrown far back, and pro- 

 gressing upwards by short quick hops, it looks wonderfully like a 

 small Picolaptes with shortened beak. It is very restless, and while 

 searching for insects constantly utters a short, trilling, querulous- 

 sounding note. 



It builds an open nest in the fork of a branch, of soft grasses and 

 hair, thickly lined with feathers, and lays four or five pure white eggs. 



198. SYNALLAXIS ORBIGNII, Reichenb. 

 (D'ORBIGNY'S SPINE-TAIL.) 



Synallaxis orbignii, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 64 ; Scl P. Z. S. 1874, p. 22, 

 et 1879, p. 461 ; Salvin, Ibis, 1880, p. 358 (Salta). Synallaxis humicola, 

 Burnt. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 468 (Mendoza, Parana). Synallaxis crassi- 

 rostris, Leybold, J.f. O. 1865, p. 401. Synallaxis flavigularis, Boring, 

 Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool. p. 45. 



Description. Above pale earthy brown, superciliariea whitish ; wing-feathers 

 blackish, the basal part of the secondaries pale chestnut, forming a transverse 

 band; four middle tail-feathers blackish, the lateral pale chestnut; beneath 

 whitish brown ; middle of throat pale rufous ; under wing-coverts fulvous ; bill 

 and feet horn-colour : whole length 6-5 inches, wing 2-2, tail 3'2. 



Hab. Bolivia and Argentina. 



This Spine-tail has been noticed by various observers in Northern 

 Argentina, and, if we are correct in referring S. flavigularis of Doring 

 to the same species, occurs also in the Eio Negro district. 



199. SYNALLAXIS MODESTA, Eyton. 

 (MODEST SPINE-TAIL.) 



Synallaxis modesta, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 64 ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1872, p. 544 (Rio 

 Negro), et 1874, p. 23. Synallaxis flavogularis, Burnt. La-Plata Reise, 

 ii. p. 468 (Mendoza). 



