In the male of this species, as in many other Bécards, the second primary is abnormally shortened, being only about one inch in length. See remarks on this subject in P. Z. S. 1857, p. 72, whence the woodcut exhibiting this strange feature is taken by kind permission.
[174.] CASIORNIS RUBRA (Vieill.).
(RUFOUS CHEESE-BIRD.)
Suiriri roxo, Azara, Apunt. ii. p. 128. Casiornis rubra, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 57.
Description.—Above uniform ferruginous, lores paler; beneath lighter, belly yellowish; bill horn-colour, yellowish at the base; feet plumbeous: whole length 6·8 inches, wing 3·4, tail 3·1. Female similar.
Hab. S. Brazil, Paraguay, and N. Argentina.
White obtained a female specimen of this bird at Campo Colorado, Oran, in November 1880; it is now in Sclater’s Collection.
[ Fam. XVI. PHYTOTOMIDÆ, or PLANT-CUTTERS.]
The peculiar form Phytotoma, remarkable for its toothed Fringilline bill, was associated by the older authors with the Finches. But modern researches have shown that it is not an Oscinine genus, and that its true place is near the Cotingidæ; indeed, some authors have placed it within the limits of that family.
Of the four known species of Plant-cutters, all restricted to South America, one is a well-known denizen of the Argentine Republic.