184 DENDROCOLAPTID^E. 



Description. Above earthy brown, superciliaries whitish ; wings blackish, the 

 basal half of secondaries pale clear 'brown, forming a transverse bar ; tail black, 

 the outer webs of all the rectrices pale chestnut ; beneath whitish brown, with 

 a large fulvous spot on the throat ; under wing-coverts fulvous ; bill and feet 

 pale brown : whole length 6-0 inches, wing 2-4, tail 2-5. Female similar. 



Hab. Argentina, Patagonia, Chili. 



This species so closely resembles the following in size and dull earthy- 

 brown colour, that where seen in the thickets it is impossible to distin- 

 guish them. In habits they also seem alike; but this bird is, I 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. 



200. SYNALLAXIS SORDIDA, Less. 

 (SORDID SPINE-TAIL.) 



Synallaxis sordida, Hudson, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 543 (Rio Negro) j Sd. et Salv. 

 Nomencl p. 64; Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 23; Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 396 

 (Centr. Patagonia) ; White, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 39 (Cordova) ; Barrows, Bull. 

 Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 208 (Entrerios). 



Description. 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 cinnamomeous ; bill 

 and feet blackish: whole length 6-5 inches, wing 2-3, tail 2-8. Female 

 similar. 



Hab. Patagonia and East Argentina. 



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 movements, also in its 

 language, it strikingly resembles the Pltacdlodomus ruber. In its nidifi- 



