_Campylorhynchus_, SPIX, Av. Bras. I, 1824, 77. (Type, _C.
scolopaceus_, SPIX = _Turdus variegatus_, GMEL.)
[Line drawing: _Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus._
7149]
GEN. CHAR. Bill stout, compressed, as long as, or longer than the
head, without notch or rictal bristles; culmen and commissure
curved; gonys nearly straight. Nostrils in the antero-inferior
part of nasal groove, in advance of the frontal feathers, with an
overhanging scale with thickened edge, as in _Thryothorus_;
sometimes, as in the type, reduced to a slight ridge along the
upper side of the nasal groove. Lateral septum not projecting
below or anteriorly into the nasal cavity, but concealed by the
nasal scale. Tarsus a little longer than middle toe and claw;
claws strong, much curved, and very sharp; middle toe with basal
joint adherent almost throughout. Wings and tail about equal, the
latter graduated; the exterior webs of lateral feathers broad.
This genus embraces the largest species of the family, and is
well represented in Middle and South America, two species only
reaching into North America, which may be distinguished as
follows:—
Top of head and post-ocular stripe reddish-brown; back streaked
longitudinally and linearly with white. All the feathers beneath
conspicuously spotted. Crissum and flanks with rounded or
elongated spots. Iris reddish. Nostrils inferior, linear,
overhung by a scale. Nests large and purse-shaped; eggs white,
profusely marked with salmon-colored or reddish spots.
_a._ Spots much larger on throat and jugulum than elsewhere.
Inner webs of second to fifth tail-feathers (between middle
and outer feathers) black, except at tips. Length, 8.00; wing,
3.40; tail, 3.55. _Hab._ Adjacent borders of United States
and Mexico … _brunneicapillus._
_b._ Spots on throat and jugulum little larger than elsewhere.
Inner webs of intermediate tail-feathers banded with white like
the outer. Length, 7.50. _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas … _affinis._
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, GRAY.