MICHLER'S ANTPITTA 



tail relatively long for an antbird. The scale- 

 like markings of the plumage of the back and 

 the bright blue skin around the eye, give it an 

 absolutely unique and unmistakable appearance. 



"I saw them almost invariably with the 

 armies of foraging ants, and when disturbed they 

 quickly made off through the underbrush, 

 uttering their curious low rambling notes" 

 (Richmond) . 



20. Pittasoma michleri michleri Cassin 

 Michler's Antpitta 



Length 166 mm. (6.50 in.); tail 34 mm. 

 (1.30 in.). 



Male. Head to level of eyes black; remainder 

 of upper parts vandyke brown, the back streaked 

 with black; wing coverts tipped with a whitish 

 spot enclosed in black; chin and throat black 

 streaked with white and chestnut; remainder of 

 under parts white heavily barred with black, 

 the bars forming a U-shape on the breast. 



Female. Resembling male in size and color, 

 but more lightly marked and tinged with buff 

 below. 



This is a large antbird with an excessively 

 short tail, stout bill, and a crest. "A shy species 

 found in heavy jungle. Had a very loud pene- 

 trating whistling call 'Qua, qua, qua,' etc., slower 

 toward the end, gave it several times on the 

 ground and then flew to a perch about twenty 

 feet up and repeated it several times." (Jewel.) 

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