The BURROWING GROUND WOODPECKER (_Geositta cunicularia_) is of a deep
brown on the upper portions of the body and wings; the under side is pale
brown, the throat whitish, breast spotted and striped with black, and the
belly rust-red. The region of the eye is pale red, the shoulder-feathers
have light edges, and the exterior quills are bordered and tipped
with blackish brown, and shaded with red upon the inner web. The eye
is brown, the beak whitish at its base and black towards its tip; the
feet are blackish brown. According to Kittlitz these birds inhabit the
barren plains of Chili and Patagonia, and are met with on the Bolivian
Cordilleras to a height of from 3,500 to 4,500 feet above the level of
the sea. We learn from the same authority that in its general habits the
_Geositta cunicularia_ closely resembles the Common Lark.
"The Casaeita, as this bird is called by the natives," says Darwin,
"builds its nest at the bottom of a narrow cylindrical hole, which is said
to extend horizontally to nearly six feet under ground, in any low bank
of sandy soil by the side of a wood or stream. Here, at Bahia Blanca,
the walls of those I have seen are built of hardened mud. I noticed
that a bank that enclosed the courtyard of the house where I lodged was
penetrated by round holes in a score of places. On asking the owner the
cause of this, he explained that they were made by the Casaeitas, several
of which I afterwards saw at work. It is strange that though the birds
were constantly flitting over the low wall they were evidently incapable
of forming an idea as to its thickness, otherwise they would not have
made so many vain attempts. I do not doubt that each bird as it came to
daylight on the opposite side was greatly surprised at the marvellous
fact."
Gray tells us that this species is extremely tame, and almost constantly
in motion. The stomachs of such as he examined contained the remains
of beetles; whilst Kittlitz mentions having only found seeds and small
stones. At certain seasons the call is a shrill, tremulous note.
* * * * *
The STAIR-BEAKS (_Xenops_) are a group of Brazilian birds, possessing
a very peculiar formation of beak, the lower mandible being graduated
upwards, whilst the upper portion of the bill is quite straight. The tail
is formed of soft, rounded feathers, and the feet are powerful. We learn
from the Prince von Wied that the members of this group associate in
pairs, or small parties, and lead a very quiet, retired life within their
native forests. Their food consists principally of insects, and whilst in
search of these they tap upon the bark of the tree after the manner of the
Woodpecker. According to our own experience they will also eat some kinds
of nuts. The nest is usually placed in a hole in a tree. The various
species, as far as we have ascertained, have nothing striking or peculiar
in their cry.