[58.] DONACOSPIZA ALBIFRONS (Vieill.).
(LONG-TAILED REED-FINCH.)
Donacospiza albifrons, Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S. 1869, p. 632 (Buenos Ayres), iid. Nomencl. p. 30; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 171 (Buenos Ayres); White, P. Z. S. 1883, p. 38 (Cordova); Döring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool. p. 38 (Pampas). Poospiza albifrons, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 484 (Paraná).
Description.—Above yellowish grey, the back striped with blackish; lesser wing-coverts clear grey; greater coverts and wing-feathers black, edged with brown; head nearly the same as the back, somewhat grey on the cheek, the crown and nape washed with olive-brown; superciliary stripe and under surface buff; bill and feet horn-colour: total length 6·0 inches, wing 2·5, tail 3·0.
Hab. Paraguay, Uruguay, and La Plata.
The slender body, great length of tail, and the hue of the plumage, assimilating to that of sere decaying vegetation, might easily lead one into mistaking this Finch for a Synallaxis where these birds are abundant.
I have met with it in the marshy woods and reed-beds along the shores of the Plata, but it is a shy, rare bird in Buenos Ayres. I have followed it about, hoping to hear it utter a song or melodious note, but it had only a little chirp. I would not, however, on this account pronounce it to be the one silent member of a voiceful family, as my acquaintance with it is so very slight.
[59.] POOSPIZA NIGRORUFA (d’Orb. et Lafr.).
(BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT WARBLING FINCH.)
Poospiza nigrorufa, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 484 (Paraná); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 30; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 171 (Buenos Ayres); Döring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool. p. 38 (Rio Sauce); Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 129 (Concepcion).