The ANT KING (_Grallaria rex_) another of these Thrushes, represents a
group recognisable by their short, thick beak, which is incised towards
its hooked tip, and slightly arched at the culmen; short, rounded wings,
in which the fifth quill is the longest, that scarcely reach beyond the
base of the mere stump-like tail; slender legs, and moderate-sized toes,
armed with somewhat curved claws. The plumage is principally brown,
the smaller feathers being spotted on the shaft with a lighter shade;
the wing-covers have a reddish tinge; the quills and tail-feathers are
blackish brown, their outer web rust-red; the bridle, cheeks, and a
stripe that passes from the chin to the throat are pale yellowish white;
the entire under side is light yellowish brown, the eye greyish brown,
the beak blackish grey, and the feet reddish grey; the body measures
eight, the wing four inches, the tail an inch and a half, and the tarsus
two inches. All the interminable forests upon the coast of South America,
from Brazil to Columbia, are inhabited by these birds, of whose habits,
however, we are completely ignorant, as they live exclusively within
the shelter of the densest brushwood, and invariably take flight at the
approach of man. Burmeister tells us that their penetrating cry is to be
heard from early morning till late in the evening; that they make their
nest upon the ground, and lay blueish green eggs.