BIRDS OF NORTH ANI MIDDLE AMERICA. 



639 



SEIURUS MOTACILLA (Vieillot) 



LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH, 



Adults {sexes alike).^ — Above plain grayisih olive, slightlv darker on 

 pileum; a conspicuous superciliary stripe of white, extending* from 

 nostril to beyond end of auricular region; a triangular loral spot and 

 broad postocular stripe of dark grayish olive, the latter sometimes 

 involving greater part of the auricular region, the lower portion of 

 which, however, is always paler and more or less streaked with dull 

 whitish; a crescentic mark of white on lower eyelid; malar region 

 white, usually more or less flecked with grayish olive; under parts 

 white or bufly white, becoming pronouncedl}" ))utiy (usually clear pale 

 bull' or cream ])ufl) on flanks and undei' tail-coverts, all the under parts 

 of the body sometimes strongly tinged Avith bufl'; chin and throat 

 immaculate or with only a few^ minute flecks; chest, sides, and flanks 

 broadly streaked with grayish olive (similar to color of upper parts, 

 but somewhat darker), the streaks on anteiior portion of chest smaller, 

 more distinctly triangular or wedge-shaped; axillars and under wing- 

 coverts brownish gray or hair brown; maxilla horn l)rownish basally, 

 becoming darker terminally; mandil)le similar in color to maxilla but 

 paler brownish basallv; iris ))rown; legs and feet pale yellowish brown 

 in dried skins (pale flesh color in life). 



Young, first phimage. — Similar to adults, but upper parts more 

 sooty brown, the rump and upper tail-coverts sometimes tinged with 

 or inclining to more rusty brown; middle and greater wing-coverts nar- 

 rowly margined at tips with paler brown ; streaks on under parts much 

 less distinct than in adults, decidedly paler in color than upper parts. 



Adult male.— h^ngih (skins), 127-139.7 (133.S); wing, 75.7-84.3 

 (80.8); tail, 49.5-55.4(51.8); exposed culmen, 12.4-13.5 (13.2); tarsus, 

 21.6-22.9 (22.3); middle toe, 14-15.2 (14.2)." 



AduU feuude.—\jQngi\\ (skins), 129..5-142.2 (135.1); wing, 75.9-81 

 (78.7); tail, 49.5-52.6(50.8); exposed culmen, 12.9-14.2 (13.5); tarsus, 

 21.6-23.4 (22.9); middle toe, 14-15 (14.5).^' 



' After careful examination of a large series of specimens, I can not find that there 

 is any difference in plumage according to season, some birds taken in April and May 

 being quite as strongly colored as any autumnal or winter specimens. 



'^ Eleven specimens. 



•' Five specimens. 



Specimens from the Atlantic coast district and those from the Mississippi Valley 

 average, respectively, as follows: 



