228 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



The Rush-bird has a stout body and short gradu- 

 ated tail, strong claws, and a slender curved beak 

 three-fourths of an inch long. The upper plumage is 

 brown, the tail rufous, the under surface and a mark 

 over the eye white. 



RED THORN-BIRD 



Phacellodomus ruber 



Above olive-brown, front chestnut ; tail brownish chestnut ; beneath 

 whitish, throat, breast, and flanks washed and mottled with bright red- 

 dish brown ; under wing-coverts and inner margins of wing-feathers 

 bright cinnamon ; length 7.3 inches. 



THIS is a common species throughout the eastern 

 portion of the Argentine country, and extends as far 

 south as the southern boundary of the Buenos- 

 Ayrean province, 



It is resident, living in pairs in places where there 

 are scattered thorny trees and bushes, and is never 

 found in deep woods. It never attempts to conceal 

 itself, but, on the contrary, sits exposed on a bush 

 and will allow a person to approach within three or 

 four yards of it. Nor has it the restless manner of 

 most Synallaxine birds which live in the same places 

 with it, but moves in a slow, deliberate way, and 

 spends a great deal of time sitting motionless on its 

 perch, occasionally uttering its call or song, composed 

 of a series of long, shrill, powerful notes in descend- 

 ing scale and uttered in a very leisurely manner. It 



