(PATAGONIAN SPINE-TAIL.)
+Synallaxis patagonica+, _Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1872, p. 544 (Rio Negro);
_Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 64; _Scl. P. Z. S._ 1874, p. 24;
_Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 35 (Chupat).
_Description._--Above greyish earthy brown; wing-feathers blackish
brown, basal halves of secondaries very pale clear brown, forming a
transverse band; tail blackish, edged with greyish brown; outer web
of outer feather on each side pale brown; beneath cinereous, with
an obscure blackish spot on the throat; belly and flanks dull buff;
under wing-coverts cinnamomeous; bill and feet blackish: whole
length 6·0 inches, wing 2·2, tail 2·5. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Patagonia.
This dull-coloured little bird, which is found in Patagonia and also
near the Andes in the north-western provinces of the Argentine Republic,
is one of those species which diverge greatly in habits from the typical
_S. ruficapilla_ and its nearest allies. The body is stout, the tail,
square and short, is carried vertically as in the House-Wren.
The Patagonian Spine-tail is a resident in the Rio Negro district. It is
a silent, shy, solitary little bird, which lives on the ground and seeks
its food after the manner of the Cachalote (_Homorus_). Being small and
feeble, however, it does not hunt about the roots of trees and large
bushes like the larger and more powerful _Homorus_, but keeps under the
diminutive scrubby plants in open sterile situations. About the roots of
these wiry little bushes, only twelve to eighteen inches high, the
bird searches for small insects, and when disturbed has a feeble jerky
flight, which carries it to a distance of about twenty yards. It flies
with great reluctance, and when approached runs swiftly away, leaving a
person in doubt as to whether he has seen a mouse or a little obscure
bird. The only note I have heard it utter is a faint creaking sound when
alarmed or flying.