(CURVED-BILL RUSH-BIRD.)
+Limnornis curvirostris+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 64; _Durnford,
Ibis_, 1877, p. 182 (Buenos Ayres).
_Description._--Above rufous-brown, brighter on the rump; lores and
superciliaries white; wings and tail chestnut-brown; beneath white;
flanks and under tail-coverts pale brown; under wing-coverts white;
bill and feet horn-colour: whole length 7·0 inches, wing 3·0, tail
2·0. _Female_ similar.
_Hab._ Argentina and Uruguay.
This species is found everywhere in marshy places in the eastern part
of the Argentine Republic, and is also common in Uruguay, where Darwin
discovered it. It inhabits dense reed-beds which grow in the water,
and is not found in any other situation. It pairs for life, has a very
feeble flight, and flies with great reluctance, but lives always in
close concealment in one spot. It is, however, very inquisitive, and
when approached the two birds creep up to the summit of the rushes
and utter peculiar loud, rattling, and jarring notes, as if angrily
protesting against the intrusion.
The Rush-bird has a stout body and short graduated tail, strong claws,
and a slender curved beak three-fourths of an inch long. The upper
plumage is brown, the tail rufous, the under surface and a mark over
the eye white.