Birds and Birding's Guide to:
Watching THE SPARROW-LIKE BIRDS
THE FREE-TOED PERCHING BIRDS
THE ANT-BIRDS
The Ant-Wrens
(Formicariina), so called from their superficial resemblance to the true Wrens, are comprised in the second of the poorly defined groups, being smaller and more delicately formed than those last noticed, and having more slender, less-hooked bills. As an example of this group, mention may be made of Formicarius umbrosus, a species found by Richmond along the Escon-dido River in Nicaragua. It is brown above, darker on the head and brighter on the rump, paler beneath, and black on the throat; the length is about seven inches.”Its lonely call may be heard in the woods at all times. It passes its entire time upon the ground in the more retired parts of the forest, using its wings only when suddenly surprised. If one falls in with a bird while traveling through the woods, it sneaks quietly away without resorting to flight, unless a suspicious movement is made."
The members of the final group are known as Ant-Thrushes, and may be recognized by their elongated tarsi, large feet, and short tails. The sexes are nearly alike in coloration, and in a way they may be said to take the place of the Old World Pittas.