186 DENDROCOLAPTID^E. 



202. SYNALLAXIS PATAGONICA (Lafr. et d'Orb.). 

 (PATAGONIAN SPINE-TAIL.) 



Synallaxis patagonica, Hudson, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 544 (Rio Negro) ; Scl. et 

 Salv. Nomencl. p. 64; Scl P. Z. S. 1874, p. 24: Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 35 

 (Clmpat). 



Description. Above greyish earthy brown; wing-feathers blackish brown, 

 basal halves of secondaries very pale clear brown, forming a transverse band ; 

 tail blackish, edged with greyish brown ; outer web of outer feather on each 

 side pale brown ; beneath cinereous, with an obscure blackish spot on the throat ; 

 belly and flanks dull buff; under wing-coverts cinnamomeous ; bill and feet 

 blackish : whole length 6'0 inches, wing 2'2, tail 2-5. Female similar. 



Hab. Patagonia. 



This dull-coloured little bird, which is found in Patagonia and also 

 near the Andes in the north-western provinces of the Argentine 

 Republic, is one of those species which diverge greatly in habits from 

 the typical S. ruficapilla and its nearest allies. The body is stout, the 

 tail, square and short, is carried vertically as in the House- Wren. 



The Patagonian Spine-tail is a resident in the Rio Negro district. 

 It is a silent, shy, solitary little bird, which lives on the ground and 

 seeks its food after the manner of the Cachalote (Homorus). Being 

 small and feeble, however, it does not hunt about the roots of trees 

 and large bushes like the larger and more powerful Homorus, but 

 keeps under the diminutive scrubby plants in open sterile situations. 

 About the roots of these wiry little bushes, only twelve to eighteen 

 inches high, the bird searches for small insects, and when disturbed has 

 a feeble jerky flight, which carries it to a distance of about twenty yards. 

 It flies with great reluctance, and when approached runs swiftly away, 

 leaving a person in doubt as to whether he has seen a mouse or a little 

 obscure bird. The only note I have heard it utter is a faint creaking 

 sound when alarmed or flying. 



203. SYNALLAXIS HUDSONI, Scl. 

 (HUDSON'S SPINE-TAIL.) 



Synallaxis hudsoni, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 25 ; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 36, et 

 1878, p. 396 (Chupat, Central Patagonia) ; Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. 

 p. 209 (Azul, Sierra de la Ventana). Synallaxis sclateri, Cab. J. f. O. 

 1878, p. 196. 



Description. Above fulvous brown, mottled with black, each feather being 

 marked with a large black spot ; on the upper part of the back the feathers are 

 faintly edged with whitish grey ; wings blackish, basal halves of feathers pale 



