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Show 1879.] BIRDS FROM ANTIOQUIA. 521 217. SYNALLAXIS ALBESCENS, Temm.; Scl. P. Z.S. 1874, p. 9. Medellin. (Mus. S.-G.) Iris dark ; stomach contained insects. Eggs (no. 40) of a very pale greenish blue, nearly white : axis *88, diam. '65. *' The nest, which is placed in a tree or high bush, 6 or 8 feet from the ground, is made of sticks and twigs; and the eggs are placed on a few small green leaves. It is very much the shape of a pear placed horizontally, with an extended tunnel at the smaller end. " I have seen the nest as large as that of an English Magpie, and as firmly made, though the bird is not larger than a Sparrow. The body of the nest is composed of sticks, many of them from four to six inches in length and a quarter of an inch in diameter ; the tunnel entrance, which is often of considerable length, is composed of fine twigs beautifully interlaced, the entrance only just admitting the body of the bird ; it is sometimes straight, sometimes winding. The top of the nest is roofed with a mass of large leaves, a protection against the heavy rains. Altogether it is a remarkable construction ; and it would be interesting to know how so small a bird can carry and fix such large sticks; but the bird at this time is exceedingly shy, always keeping at a distance from its nest when any one is near, even if carefully hidden from view. "The nest is difficult to approach, being placed where the underwood is very thick ; and the eggs can only be obtained by making an opening on one side, which is not an easy operation."-T. K. S. 218. SYNALLAXIS PUDICA, Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 10. Remedios. (Mus. S.-G.) Iris dark ; stomach contained insects. Eggs (no. 99) pale greenish blue : axis *85, diam. *65. 219. SYNALLAXIS UNIRUFA, Lafr.; Scl. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 14. In Mr. Salmon's third collection (Mus. P. L. S.), without exact locality. 220. SYNALLAXIS ERYTHROPS, Scl. P. Z.S. 1874, p. 19. Frontino. (Mus. S.-G.) Iris dark ; stomach contained insects. Eggs (no. 87) white: axis *95, diam. *65. 221. PSEUDOCOLAPTES BOISSONEAUTI (Lafr.); Scl. Cat. A. B. p. 156. Frontino, Sta. Elena. (Mus. S.-G.) Iris dark. Food, insects ; nests in holes of trees. Eggs (no. 30) white: axis 1*14, diam. *8. 222. THRIPADECTES F L A M M U L A T U S (Eyton); Scl. Cat. A. B. p. 157. Frontino. (Mus. S.-G.) Iris dark. Stomach contained insects. Eggs (no. 86) white : axis 1*35, diam. *9. |