of the United States . 
73 
Bill moderate or elongated, much compressed, higher 
than wide at base, straight or slightly curved ; upper mandible 
a little vaulted, notched and curved at tip; lower a little shorter, 
straight, notched, ascending at tip, acute : nostrils basal, 
oval, half closed by a membrane : tongue short, generally 
somewhat bristled at tip. Tarsus rather slender, very long 
or moderate ; lateral toes subequal, shorter than the middle 
one, which is united at base with the inner, and to the outer 
as far as the first articulation ; hind toe a little longer and 
more robust than the inner : nails moderate, incurved, acute ; 
the hind one largest. Wings short, rounded; first primary 
shortest; the following gradually longer to the fourth or 
fifth, which is longest. Tail very short and even, or mode- 
rate and much rounded. 
Female larger than the male, and, with the young differing 
considerably in colour from the adult male. 
Live generally in families or small troops, different species 
in company, in dry uninhabited countries, principally dense 
forests. Feed exclusively on insects, especially ants. Run 
swiftly on the ground, and leap with agility ; seldom alight ’ 
ing, and then on the lowest branches of trees. Flight low 
and short. Voice harsh and peculiar. Flesh oily and un- 
palatable. Tropical ; chiefly American. Allied to Turdus 
by Pitta on one side, to Lanius by Tamnophilus on another, 
and to Troglodytes on a third. 
94. Myiothera obsoleta, Nob. Dusky-brownish, undulated 
with pale ; beneath whitish, marked with brown ; tail two 
inches long, rounded, ferruginous- yellow at tip ; bill very 
slender, slightly curved, one inch long ; tarsus seven-eighths 
of an inch. 
Rocky Mountain Ant-catcher , Myiothera obsoleta, Nob . Am . 
Orn. i. p. 6. pi. i .fig 2 . Troglodytes obsoleta, Say. 
Inhabits near the Rocky Mountains. Placed on the ex- 
treme limits of the genus, near Troglodytes. 
