A complete descriptive record of South American birds that will serve both professional and amateur bird students and encourage conservation of these magnificent species. This volume covers Ovenbirds and woodcreepers, typical and ground antbirds, gnateaters and tapaculos, tyrant flycatchers, cotingas and manakins. 52 color plates by Guy Tudor. Starting from a museum approach, the authors have examined specimens of each subspecies, comparing them visually and trying to discern the patterns in their plumage variation, both intra- and inter-specifically. They take a new look at bird systematics, reassessing relationships in light of new information. Perhaps most important, they combine this review and analysis with extensive field observations to give an accurate, incisive portrait of the birds in nature.