At Maldonado this bird frequented, in small flocks, reeds and other aquatic plants bordering lakes. In general habits, as well as in place of resort, it resembles those species of Synallaxis and Limnornis, with which it is often associated. It appears to live entirely on insects, and I found in the stomach of one which I opened various minute Coleoptera. Mr. Gould remarks, that the structure of this Ammodramus is very remarkable, for that it has a great general resemblance both in form and colouring to Synallaxis, although the thickness of its bill shows its relation to the Fringillinæ. In its habits it certainly is more allied to the former genus, than to its own family.
2. Ammodramus Manimbe. G. R. Gray.
Plate XXX.
Ammodramus xanthornus, in Plate, and in Gould’s MS.
Fringilla Manimbè, Licht., Cat. No. 253.
Emberiza Manimbè, D’Orb. & Lafr., Syn. p. 77.
Manimbè, Azara, No. 141.
My specimen was obtained from Maldonado.
Birds. Pl. 29.
Ammodramus longicaudatus.