LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. 375- 



Hab. — Kastoin United States to Illinois, and iioitlnvaid to Aictic America, 

 breeding fioni the Nortliein United States nortlnvard ; south, in winter, to tlie 

 West Indies and Xorthern South America. 



Nest, on the ground, often under the exposed roots of a tree, built of leaves, 

 moss and grasses, and lined with fine grass and rootlets. 



Eggs, four to six, of crystalline whiteness, marked with re<ldish-l)rown or 

 lilac. 



This inhahitaiit uf the moist woods and swampy thickets is found 

 in all suitable places throughout the country, but it has not the loud 

 decided notes of the Oven Bird, and is therefore less known, though 

 quite as abundant. Tt is terrestrial in its habits, being often seen 

 walking with careful steps by the edge of the pools, or along wet 

 logs, nervously jerking its tail, after the manner of the Teeter Snipe. 



In appearance it closely resembles the next species, with which it 

 h.as often been confounded, but the distinction, once clearly under- 

 stood, is afterwards readily recognized. In the pre.sent species the 

 throat and breast are streaked from the bill downwards, while in the 

 Louisiana the throat is always unstreaked. 



This species also reaches Alaska, where Mr. Nelson says of it, 

 after quoting the observations of others : " My own experience at 

 the Yukon mouth proves the bird to be one of the commonest species 

 breeding at that place. Its favorite haunts, in the midst of dense 

 thickets, shelter it from the observation of one not accustomed to its 

 song, which, however, is one of the most striking that reaches the 

 ear of the traveller in that region ; but the songster, perched on some 

 low branch, is quick to take alarm, and skulks away beyond the sight 

 of one penetrating its haunts." 



8EIURi:8 MOTACILLA (Vieill.). 

 284. Louisiana Water-thrush. (67'G) 



Very similar to the last ; rather larger, averaging about 6, with the wing 3 ; 

 bill, especially longer and stouter, over i, and tarsus nearly 1 ; under parts, 

 white, only faintly tinged, and chiefi}^ on the flanks and crissum, with buffy- 

 yellow ; the streaks spai'se, pale and not very shai-p ; throat, as well as belly 

 and crissum, unmarked ; legs, pale. 



Hab. — Eastein United States, north to Southern Xew England and Michi- 

 gan, west to the Plains. In winter, West Iiulies, Southei'n Mexico and Central 

 America. 



