The FIRE EYE (_Pyriglena domicella_) is a well-known member of the family
of Ant Thrushes, belonging to a group that comprises a number of the
long-tailed species, who live principally amongst the branches of shrubs
or in the underwood, and comparatively rarely seek their food upon the
surface of the ground. They are all recognisable by their straight,
conical beak, which is hooked at its tip, and slightly incised; also by
their high powerful tarsi, strong toes, armed with short, slender, curved
claws, moderate-sized wings, in which the fourth quill exceeds the rest
in length, and moderately long and rounded tail. The plumage of the male
Fire Eye is almost entirely black, as are also the beak and feet. The
larger feathers of the wing-covers are edged with white, and those upon
the shoulder entirely white. The eye, as the name of the bird indicates,
is of a brilliant fiery red. The female is olive-brown, except upon the
nape and throat, which are pale yellow. The length of this species is
seven inches, its breadth nine inches; the wing measures three inches,
and the tail two inches and three-quarters. The Fire Eye inhabits the
forests of Brazil, and principally frequents the shrubs or brushwood in
the most shady and retired spots. Its song has been described as a mere
piping twitter. So eagerly does this very remarkable bird carry on its
chase after ants, that Kittlitz tells us that upon one occasion he fired
repeatedly into the midst of a busy party, occupied in clearing a clump
of canes from a swarm of black ants, without causing them to cease from
their work of destruction.