(STRIPED SPINE-TAIL.)
+Synallaxis striaticeps+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 469
(Paraná); _Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1872, p. 544 (Rio Negro); _Scl. et
Salv. Nomencl._ p. 64; _Scl. P. Z. S._ 1874, p. 21; _Salvin,
Ibis_, 1880, p. 358 (Salta); _White, P. Z. S._ 1883, p. 39
(Cordova); _Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl._ viii. p. 208
(Entrerios).
_Description._--Above earthy brown, darker on the crown, which
has slight greyish striations; broad superciliaries white; upper
wing-coverts pale chestnut; wing-feathers blackish, glossed with
olive; tail pale chestnut; beneath white; under wing-coverts pale
fulvous; bill and feet horn-colour: whole length 5·9 inches, wing
2·4, tail 2·4. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Patagonia.
This species has a wide range south of the Equator, being found in
Bolivia, Uruguay, and throughout the Argentine Republic, including
Patagonia. In its habits it differs widely from other _Synallaxes_,
and in structure and coloration is also unlike its relatives.
The beak is longer and more curved, the claws more crooked, and the tail
stiffer than in other _Synallaxes_, and this difference in structure
corresponds to a different mode of life. The Striped Spine-tail creeps
on the trunk and larger branches of trees, seeking its insect-food in
the crevices of the bark, and when seen clinging to the trunk, supported
by its tail in a vertical position, with head thrown far back, and
progressing upwards by short quick hops, it looks wonderfully like a
small _Picolaptes_ with shortened beak. It is very restless, and
while searching for insects constantly utters a short, trilling,
querulous-sounding note.
It builds an open nest in the fork of a branch, of soft grasses and
hair, thickly lined with feathers, and lays four or five pure white
eggs.