45 



MYRMOTHERIN^. 



ANTCATCHER8 AND ALLIED SPECIES. 



The Myrmotherinse, which are in some respects intermediate 

 between the Corvinse and Turdinoe, are readily distinguished 

 from the former by their wanting the reversed stiff feathers at 

 the base of the upper mandible, and from the latter by their 

 comparatively short, concave wings, and especially by the re- 

 markable abbreviation of their tail, which gives them a peculiar 

 appearance. To this family belong the genera Myrmothera of 

 Vieillot, Grallaria., Pitta, Chamwza, Clnclus, and a few others. 

 Of none of them however are there any representatives in Bri- 

 tain excepting a single species of that last mentioned. 



Fig. m. 



In their general form they are full and compact ; their body 

 being ovate and rather deeper than broad ; their neck somewhat 

 short, their head oblong, compressed, and generally rather large. 



