strongly convex basally, nearly straight and ascending terminally. Nostril exposed, broadly oval, margined above by narrow membrane, posteriorly in contact with the short and very dense feathering of latero-frontal antiæ. Rictal bristles present but small; feathers of chin, malar antiæ, etc., short, without trace of terminal setæ. Wing rather short but pointed, very concave beneath, the outer primaries rather strongly arcuate, the longer ones projecting decidedly beyond secondaries; sixth, seventh, or eighth primaries longest, the tenth (outermost) nearly three-fourths as long as the longest, the ninth decidedly longer than secondaries. Tail about three-fifths as long as wing, rounded (graduation less than distance from nostril to tip of maxilla), the rectrices (12) rather broad and firm, rounded terminally. Tarsus about two and a half times as long as bill from nostril, decidedly less than two-fifths as long as wing, distinctly scutellate, the plantar scutella quadrate, in two longitudinal series; middle toe, with claw, a little more than two-thirds as long as tarsus (longer than commissure); outer toe, without claw, reaching to about middle of subterminal phalanx of middle toe, the inner toe very slightly shorter; hallux much shorter than inner toe, slightly stouter; basal phalanx of middle toe united for more than half its length to outer toe, for less than half its length to inner toe; anterior claws very short, relatively broad, slightly curved; claw of hallux slightly curved, nearly as long as its digit. Plumage compact, dense, that of rump and flanks not elongated nor lax; feathers of pileum not elongated.
Coloration. — General color uniform brown or blackish (the head sometimes rufescent) above, dusky, grayish, or brownish below, sometimes with chest rufescent or tawny, the under tail-coverts usually rufescent and throat black (sometimes margined posteriorly with a narrow band of cinnamon or chestnut); inner webs of remiges with basal portion (abruptly) buff, ochraceous, or tawny, the under wing- coverts similar but tipped with black; sexes alike; young similar but throat usually more or less variegated with white.
Range. — Southern Mexico to western Ecuadór, Peru, Bolivia, southeastern Brazil, and Cayenne. (About fifteen species and subspecies.)
This genus is very distinct from any other, its nearest relative being the genus Chamæza Vigors,[1] of South America, which differs in longer tail (more than two-thirds as long as wing), much greater development of plumage of lower back and rump, different character of feathering of anterior portion of head, shorter and more depressed bill, variegated plumage, and other features.
- ↑ See page 15.
