216 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 
and in structure and coloration is also unlike its 
relatives, 
The beak is longer and more curved, the claws 
more crooked, and the tail stiffer than in other 
Synallaxes, and this difference in structure corre- 
sponds to a different mode of life. The Striped Spine- 
tail creeps on the trunk and larger branches of trees, 
seeking its insect-food in the crevices of the bark, 
and when seen clinging to the trunk, supported by 
its tail in a vertical position, with head thrown far 
back, and progressing upwards by short, quick hops, 
it looks wonderfully like a small Picolaptes with 
shortened beak. Or it might be taken for a very near 
relation of Certhia familiaris by a visitor from Europe. 
It is very restless, and while searching for insects 
constantly utters a short, trilling, querulous-sounding 
note. ; 
It builds an open nest in the fork of a branch, of 
soft grasses and hair, thickly lined with feathers, 
and lays four or five pure white eggs. 
MODEST SPINE-TAIL 
Synallaxis modesta 
Tuts species so closely resembles the following in 
size and dull earthy-brown colour, that when seen 
in the thickets it is impossible to distinguish them. 
In habits they also seem alike; but this bird is, I 
