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 



