(LARGER BUSH-BIRD.)
+Thamnophilus major+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 69; _White, P. Z.
S._ 1882, p. 614 (Salta); _Salvin, Ibis_. 1880, p. 359 (Salta).
+Thamnophilus stagurus+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 471
(Paraná, Tucuman).
_Description._--Above black, upper wing-coverts crossed by a row of
white spots; the outer rectrix on each side tipped and barred with
white, the other rectrices, excepting the middle pair, spotted with
white on their inner webs; beneath pure white; bill black, feet
grey: whole length 8·0 inches, wing 3·6, tail 2·8. _Female_ above
rufous, beneath white, lower flanks and under tail-coverts tinged
with ochraceous; tail wholly rufous.
_Hab._ Paraguay and N. Argentina.
White found this species common in the gardens round the town of Oran.
He noted the iris as "crimson."
Azara's account of this species is prefaced by the following remarks on
the birds of this genus known to him in Paraguay:--"These birds inhabit
only the dense and tangled thickets, and never show themselves outside
of their hiding-places, except for a few moments in the early morning
and in the evening; but at no time do they perch high on the trees, but
keep always within a few feet of the earth. They live in pairs; feed
solely on insects caught in the bushes which they frequent, or on the
ground, on which, however, the bird alights only to pick up its prey,
and then returns to the twig to devour it. They are stationary, and fly
only from one thicket to another. Many of the species have a similar
voice or song, which is singular, powerful, and heard only in the
love-season. The call is a trill of a single note rapidly reiterated,
and loud enough to be heard half a mile away; the cry being accompanied
by vibratory motions of the wings."