(PATAGONIAN SPINE-TAIL.)
Synallaxis patagonica, Hudson, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 544 (Rio Negro); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 64; Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 24; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 35 (Chupat).
Description.—Above greyish earthy brown; wing-feathers blackish brown, basal halves of secondaries very pale clear brown, forming a transverse band; tail blackish, edged with greyish brown; outer web of outer feather on each side pale brown; beneath cinereous, with an obscure blackish spot on the throat; belly and flanks dull buff; under wing-coverts cinnamomeous; bill and feet blackish: whole length 6·0 inches, wing 2·2, tail 2·5. Female similar.
Hab. Patagonia.
This dull-coloured little bird, which is found in Patagonia and also near the Andes in the north-western provinces of the Argentine Republic, is one of those species which diverge greatly in habits from the typical S. ruficapilla and its nearest allies. The body is stout, the tail, square and short, is carried vertically as in the House-Wren.
The Patagonian Spine-tail is a resident in the Rio Negro district. It is a silent, shy, solitary little bird, which lives on the ground and seeks its food after the manner of the Cachalote (Homorus). Being small and feeble, however, it does not hunt about the roots of trees and large bushes like the larger and more powerful Homorus, but keeps under the diminutive scrubby plants in open sterile situations. About the roots of these wiry little bushes, only twelve to eighteen inches high, the bird searches for small insects, and when disturbed has a feeble jerky flight, which carries it to a distance of about twenty yards. It flies with great reluctance, and when approached runs swiftly away, leaving a person in doubt as to whether he has seen a mouse or a little obscure bird. The only note I have heard it utter is a faint creaking sound when alarmed or flying.
[203.] SYNALLAXIS HUDSONI, Scl.
(HUDSON’S SPINE-TAIL.)
Synallaxis hudsoni, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 25; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 36, et 1878, p. 396 (Chupat, Central Patagonia); Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 209 (Azul, Sierra de la Ventana). Synallaxis sclateri, Cab. J. f. O. 1878, p. 196.
Description.—Above fulvous brown, mottled with black, each feather being marked with a large black spot; on the upper part of the back the feathers are faintly edged with whitish grey; wings blackish, basal halves of feathers pale clear brown, forming a transverse bar, the terminal part of the feathers slightly edged on the outer webs and tips with ochraceous; tail blackish, the outer pair of rectrices and broad tips of the next two pairs on each side very pale brown, the two middle feathers broadly margined on both webs with pale greyish brown; beneath pale ochraceous brown, with a pale sulphur-yellowish gular spot; flanks with a few black marks; under wing-coverts light cinnamon; bill and feet pale horn-colour: whole length 7·8 inches, wing 3·2, tail 3·5. Female similar.