Phrygilus gayi, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 487 (Mendoza); Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 31; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 599 (Catamarca).
Description.—Above, head all round, neck, and wing-coverts grey; back and upper tail-coverts olive-green; wings and tail black; beneath, throat grey, breast and belly yellow, washed with olive; crissum and under tail-coverts white; bill and feet black: whole length 6·0 inches, wing 3·5, tail 2·3. Female: above obscure olive-green, below yellow.
Hab. Chili and Western Argentina.
Burmeister says that this Chilian species is found in the valleys of the Sierras near Mendoza.
[67.] PHRYGILUS CANICEPS (Burm.).
(GREY-HEADED FINCH.)
Phrygilus caniceps, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 487; Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 393 (Chupat); Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 130 (Sierra de la Ventana).
Description.—Above, head, neck, wing- and upper tail-coverts grey; back olivaceous yellow, washed with red; wing and tail-feathers black, edged with grey; beneath, throat grey, breast and belly orange-yellow; crissum and under tail-coverts white; bill horn-colour; feet light brown: whole length 6·8 inches, wing 3·6, tail 2·9.
Hab. Argentina.
Of this species, discovered by Dr. Burmeister near Mendoza, Mr. Barrows writes:—“Only met with on the Sierra de la Ventana, where it was abundant in flocks, some of which numbered as many as a hundred individuals. When found near the base of the sierra they were almost always associated with the common Zonotrichia. Although most of them had not finished moulting, they were constantly singing, and seemed perfectly contented with their desolate surroundings.”