(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.