268 ELEVEN WEEKS IN NORTH-EASTERN BRAZIL. 



65. SYNALLAXIS FBONTALIS. 



This bird and the next I did not distinguish on the spot, so I can 

 give no exact particulars as to the exact range of the two species, which 

 may very possibly occur together. I met with these birds at all the 

 localities I stayed at, from the coast to Graranhuns, and usually they 

 were abundant. They frequent low shrubs and bush-covered ground, 

 and creep about actively in the thick vegetation, singly or in pairs, 

 uttering continually a loud cry, repeated several times, sounding like 

 acqui, acqui. 



Irides brown ; feet dirty fleshy ; beak grey, the upper mandible 

 except at base, darker. 



66. SYNALLAXIS ALBESCENS. 



I did not at the time distinguish between this and the last species, 

 which it much resembles in habits. 

 The eyes are red-brown. 



67. SYNALLAXIS CINNAMOMEA. 



This is one of the most abundant birds in Pernambuco and Parahyba, 

 being found nearly everywhere in suitable positions ; that is, where the 

 country is not densely forest-clad and in the vicinity of water. It 

 was very abundant in the garden at Estancia, and is a very noisy bird, 

 with a peculiar loud chattering cry. A couple of males, which are larger 

 and brighter than the females, might often be seen flying after and 

 chasing each other, and in these cases a female bird was usually not far off. 

 It builds a large nest of sticks, many of which are of considerable size 

 and thickness. In Mr. Hood's garden at Cabo a pair of these birds had 

 a nest in a low bush a few yards from the windows, and I used often to 

 watch the bird flying in from the garden with sticks, sometimes con- 

 Ibis, 1881, siderably longer than the birds themselves. I think both sexes took a 

 p. 347. share in the construction, in which they were most assiduous. The nest 

 was a large, somewhat triangularly shaped mass of sticks and twigs, 

 thickly matted together, and with an opening for the birds at one end. 

 Very possibly the same nest is used for a number of years in succession, 

 being repaired and increased in size every breeding-season. 



Eyes chestnut-brown ; legs blue-grey, with the soles lighter. 



68. THAMNOPHILTTS PALLIATUS. 



This bird is abundant in some places and its presence is betrayed by 

 its very curious loud chattering notes, which are commenced in a high 

 key, and fall lower as their conclusion is approached. The bird creeps 

 about, singly or in pairs, the bushes and small trees of the more open 

 parts, and is by no means shy. I got specimens at Cabo and Parahyba, 



