THE SEARCHERS. 



17 



THE RED-FRONTED BUNDLE-NEST, OR CLIMBING THRUSH. 



The Red-fronted Bundle-nest, or Climbing Thrush (PhacelMomiis rufifnns), is of a light 

 brownish greenish grey on the upper parts of the body, and hght bro\vnish white on the under side. 

 The quills are greyish brown, with a reddish gloss on the outer web ; the brow is deep rust-red, and 

 a stripe over the eyes pure white. The eye is grey, the upper mandible dark greyish bro\\Ti, and the 

 lower one whitish grey. The foot is pale blueish grey. This species measures six inches and a quarter, 

 the wing two inches and a quarter, and the tail two inches and a half. 



The Prince von Wied tells us he only met \vith these elegant little birds upon the arid interior 



"^V . 



THE RED OVEN BIRD {Furnarius rnfiis). 



highland tracts of Geroes and Bahia, where they inhabited the open country, and passed their time in 

 hopping or flying from one bush or tree to another. As regards its nidification, the Prince von Wied 

 remarks, " I found the nests of the PluueUodomus riififrons about February ; they were usually 

 suspended on the low, slender branches of high trees. Tliose I saw are best described as large oval 

 bundles, often more than three feet long, and formed of thin twigs heaped together and interwoven 

 with each other, or fastened together by a variety of materials. The interior was filled with small 

 bundles of moss, hair, wool, or fibres interlaced, so as to form a warm and compact lining. The 

 small round hole that serves as an entrance is situated at the bottom of this suspended mass, so that 

 the birds ascend from below into their huge domicile. Year by year these nests are added to and 

 enlarged until at last it is not uncommon to find that they have so increased in size as to render it a 

 difficult task for a man to stir one of them. On opening a nest of this description a row of chambers 

 is seen, under the one last made. These ancient apartments are, we belie^■e, frequently employed as 

 VOL. m. — 82 



