A new rhinocryptid from southern Marcos Bornschein et al. have described a new Scytalopus tapaculo from the metropolitan district of Curitiba, Paraná, southern Brazil. Scytalopus iraiensis, the Tall-grass Wetland Tapaculo inhabits wetlands where the vegetation is high and forms dense thickets of shading grass leaves and sedges. The new species is similar to males of Mouse-coloured Tapaculo S. speluncae in coloration, but differs from that species in possessing a blackish back and grey belly, rather than being a uniform grey. Vocalisations are also significantly different. Unfortunately, the new species is already gravely endangered as all three areas in which it has been located are threatened by wholescale habitat modification.* Bornschein, R. M., Reinert, B. L. & Pichorim, P. (1998) Descrição, ecologia e conservacao de um novo Scytalopus (Rhinocryptidae) do sul do Brasil, com comentarios sobre a morfologia da familia. • Ararajuba 6: 3–36.

Two new subspecies of Cinnycerthia fulva Cotinga 6 reported on a taxonomic reappraisal of Andean Cinnycerthia wrens, undertaken by R. T. Brumfield. and Van Remsen. The two undescribed subspecies referred to in the previous paper have now been described as C. f. fitzpatricki from the isolated Cordillera Vilcabamba, dpto. Cuzco, and C. f. gravesi from dpto. Puno, Peru south to dpto. Cochabamba, .*Remsen, J. V. & Brumfield, R. T. (1998) Two new subspecies of Cinnycerhia fulva (Aves: Troglodytidae) from the southern Andes. • Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 111: 1008–1015.

Spotted : species status for one of its (recently rediscovered) subspecies? Sjoerd Maijer has rediscovered (macularius) auricularis c.10 km from the type-locality in northern Bolivia. He recommends species rank for auricularis on the basis of its distinctive plumage (including a black mask) and unique song, as well as differences in habitat. He has proposed the vernacular name Masked Antpitta.* Maijer, S. (1998) Rediscovery of Hylopezus (macularius) auricularis: distinctive song and habitat indicate species rank. • Auk 115: 1072–1073.

Correction of the specific name of Long-trained Nightjar Fernando Pacecho and Bret Whitney have demonstrated that the correct name for this spectacular under the articles of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is Macropsalis forcipata (Nitsch 1840)* Pacecho, J. F. & Whitney, B. M. (1998) Correction of the specific name of Long-trained Nightjar. • Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 118: 259–260.

A new subspecies of Berylline Hummingbird Andre Weller has analysed morphological variation within the Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina and has ascribed A. sumichastri (Salvin 1891) as a subspecies of A. beryllina. This taxon, found in the mountains of extreme south-east Oaxaca and southern and north-central Chiapas, has a capricious taxonomic history, but the author’s analysis places it within A. beryllina.*Weller, A.-A. (1998) On types of trochilids in the Natural History Museum, Tring. 1. Amazilia sumichastri Salvin, in relation to morphology and biogeography within the A. beryllina complex. • Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 118: 249–256.