2o8 Barrows on Birds of the Loxver Urtiguay. [October 



ground. The nest was quite similar to tlie one just described, 

 but the cavity in which the eggs were laid was near the tof of the 

 body of the nest, while the passageway descended from it to the 

 base of the nest, and there becoming external rose gradually to 

 the level of the eggs at a distance of almost three feet. 



These two are the only species building these "nests with han- 

 dles" with which I am acquainted. 



85. Synallaxis striaticeps Lafr. et d'Orb. — -Never very 

 abundant, but not uncommon in winter among the thicker trees 

 near the river. It creeps more than the other Synallaxes^ and in 

 form, color and habits is strikingly like Lepidocolaptes atrlpes — 

 in fact a very good imitation on a small scale. Of nest and eggs 

 I know nothing. 



86. Synallaxis sordida Less. Espinero chico (Little 

 Thorn-bird). — One of the commonest species, and found every- 

 where in low woods or among bushes and cactus plants. The 

 nest, which often contains a peck or more of thorns and twigs, is 

 placed on a bush or low tree, not unfrequently among the bristling 

 stems of the pi"ickly-pear cactus. Its plan is the same as that de- 

 scribed under No. 83, but the spiral way leading to the nest cav- 

 ity is much longer and frequently makes more than one complete 

 turn. The three or four white eggs are laid sometimes as early 

 as October i, and also as late as December 35. This bird uses 

 rather more wool and other soft substances in its nest-building 

 than any of the species yet described. 



87. Synallaxis sulphurifera Btirm. — A single specimen 

 was taken among high grass and sedges on the edge of a bushy 

 swamp at Concepcion, October 3, 1880. Of its habits I know 

 nothing. 



88. Synallaxis maluroides d'Orb. — Found sparingly at 

 Concepcion among reeds and sedges, especially where these grow 

 in water one or two feet deep. Here its harsh, cackling notes 

 frequently seem quite close to you while the utmost patience may 

 not be repaid by a single glimpse of their author. In precisely 

 these localities, and nowhere else, may be found nearly globular 

 nests six or seven inches in diameter formed of grass, reeds, etc., 

 mixed with some mud, but with littfe in the way of lining. They 

 are bound to the reeds, and each contains early in October three 

 or four clear, pale-blue, unspotted eggs. Although I never saw 

 a bird of any kind enter or leave one of these nests I collected 



