306 SONG OF THE WATER THRUSH 



with tbeir delicately shaded spots of reddish browu, contrasted 

 with the bright green of the mossy exterior, and set off to ad- 

 vantage by the conspicuous and unique lining, produce a very 

 beautiful effect." 



The numerous eggs I have examined — all, however, after they 

 had been emptied of their contents — measure from three-fourths 

 to four-fifths of an inch in length by a little more or less than 

 two-thirds of an inch in breadth — more exactly, two selected 

 specimens give respectively the measurements 0.75x0.58 and 

 0.82x0.60. The ground-color of the shell is brilliant crystal- 

 white ; this is marked all over, but in most cases more thickly 

 at and around the larger end than elsewhere, with small spots 

 of reddish, of quite dark brown, and of lilac or lavender — 

 sometimes all the spots being dots and mere points; sometimes 

 many of them being larger, and more or less confluent to en- 

 wreathe the greater end of the egg. Occasionally the other end, 

 or even some considerable part of the egg, is nearly free from 

 markings, but the shell, as a rule, is pretty thoroughly speckled. 



The singing of birds is inseparably associated with the power 

 and the desire to bring forth, as the involuntary and uncontrol- 

 lable expression of emotions that are never stayed except 

 through gratification. Surcease of passion is the fountain brim- 

 ming over, when the stream of life flows downward like the 

 loosened brook forever, and the babbling of the waters makes 

 unconscious melody. I never heard the singing of this Water 

 Thrush, nor do I find it carefully described ; but it is likened, 

 with good reason, to the song of the Louisiana, and this is so 

 melodious, so loud and yet so mellow, as when once heard to 

 slowly be forgotten. Both Audubon and Nuttall have expressed 

 their admiration of this Philomel's performance, which the 

 latter says is even heard at night, when the sweet incessant 

 warbling greets the ear "like the dulcet lay of some fairy vis- 

 ion". It was long before we found out that the Golden-crown 

 sings also, for the harsh crescendo ditty of this bird is scarcely 

 to be called a song; and when the vocal powers of the humbler 

 Water Thrush receive full recognition, we shall doubtless know 

 the three birds for a trio scarcely rivalled by the Wood Thrush 

 and the Hermit and the Veery. Mr. Boardman calls the Water 

 Thrush one of our liveliest singers, beginning with a sudden, 

 almost startling burst of melody, that rings as clear as if the 

 joyous bird had found a long-lost mate, and then keeps falling 

 till the slightest breath of air may blow the rest away. Its 

 secrecy in singing lends a charm to the performance, for though 



