Bulletin - United States National Museum - si-pddr - Smithsonian ...

BIRDS OF AEGENTINA, PARAGUAY, URUGUAY, AND CHILE 217
Avere taken at Las Palmas, Cliaco, on July 17, 1920, and another
(preserved in alcohol) on July 27. A female was secured August
11 near Kilometer 182, Formosa, and another Avas seen on August
18. A male was shot at Kilometer 80, west of Puerto Pinasco,
Paraguay, on September 11. These birds work quietly about the
larger limbs and trunks of trees, often descending on dead stubs
to Avithin a few feet of the ground. They spend much time in
digging for food in deadATood, hammering as steadil}^ as a Dryohates.
Though silent they shoAved some curiosity and decoyed
readily AA'ithin range.
The Toba Indians called them kiui rah.
This form sIioaa's considerable A^ariation in length of wing, as two
males from Las Palmas measure 115 and 127 mm., respectively,
Avhile in one from Puerto Pinasco the Aving equaled 122.5 mm.
PICULUS RUBIGINOSUS TUCUMANUS (Cabanis)
Chloroncrpes tiicumanus Cabanis, Joiini. fiir Oruith., 1S83, p. 103. (Tucuman.)
On April 17. 1921, two Avere seen at an elevation of 1,700 meters
in the heaAy forest coAering the Sierra San Xavier above Tafi Viejo,
Tucuman, and a female was taken. The birds fed among the higher
tree limbs. Their usual call Avas a thin jyick, a curious call resembling
that of a rose-breasted grosbeak, and in addition they gave a rattling
chatter.
The specimen taken has a wing measurement of 120 mm.
TRICHOPICUS CACTORUM (d'Orbigny)
Piciis cactorum iVOkbigxa", Toy. Ainer. IMerid.. Ois.. 1S35-1S44. ]>. .378. ])1. G2.
i\g. 2. (Mizque, Bolivia.)
This genus belongs among the melanerpine Avoodpeckers and
a})pears to be allied to Trlpsurus. In its characters it is intermediate
between Tripsurus and Centurus^ particularly in respect to the
restriction of feathering about the eye, as in Trichopiciis the ocular
apterion Avhile large is less extensiAe than in Tnpsui'vs, Avhile there
is a distinct line of feathers on the lower lid. Until more is known
of the structure of these birds the present species must be considered
of doubtful generic distinctness.
At Las Palmas, Chaco, the yellow-throated Avoodpecker was encountered
and specimens taken on July 19, 27, and 30. They ranged
in open groA^es or in trees growing scattered through the savannas,
and Avere found in bands of four to half a dozen that roA'ed about
and Avere not settled in an}' particular region. In actions they suggested
Balanosphyra strongh^ as they Avorked about on the upper
limbs of the trees. Their common call was a harsh yak-ah yak-ah
and their alarm a scolding rattling chuli-Ji-h chuh-h-h check-ah. At