The Louisiana W^ater-Thrush iSdurus noveboracmsis 



Holahilis) 



By Lynds Jones 



Length : (>^ inches. 



Colors: Above, dark olive brown; whiter liclow tli.in liu' water thrush. 



Range : Eastern United States north to southern Xew luigiand and southern 

 Michigan, casually north to Lake George, northeastern Xew York, west to the 

 plains. In winter, West Indies, southern Mexico, and Central America to 

 Panama. 



Amidst our more modest surroundings the Louisiana water thrush occu|)ies 

 much the same position relatively that the water ouzel does in the mountainous 

 regions of the West. Both birds possess themselves of the wildest in nature 

 which is to be had, and both are the animating spirits of their chosen haunts. 

 Ahhough no one suspects any structural affinity between the two, a half dozen 

 other close points of resemblance might be noted, not least among which would 

 be poetic temperament and the talent in song. 



Only the most picturesque and unfrequented glens are tenanted by this poet- 

 bird from the South. Where cool waters trickle down from mossy ledges and 

 pause in shallow pools to mirrir the foliage of many trees, here, and here alone, 

 you will find the water thrush at home. The bird will discover himself to you by an 

 imperious t'liifik of question and alarm, after which he will pause at the water's 

 edge impatiently, as though awaiting your withdrawal. The bird stands with the 

 body horizontal or with the hinder parts elevated, jetting the tail vertically from 

 time to time without moving the head, or else bowing with profound but uncon- 

 vincing gravity. If you are discreet enough to withdraw, or to pretend to, the 

 bird will proceed with the business of getting breakfast, either by wading about 

 in the shallow water, or by searching noisily among the dead leaves hard by. Nor 

 does he forget to give vent to unallaycd suspicions by an energetic chink. Or 

 by and by he tries hiding, and disappears mysteriously behind a bunch of ferns. 

 One minute, two, three, are allowed to elapse. "Ah, that means a nest,"' says the 

 shrewd obser\er ; and he moves forward with becoming caution. But the bird 

 is up and otT in a trice, and flies down ilic glen without an apparent pang. .\ 

 search is made, half-heartedly, with the old result — ^"nothing but leaves." 



Wherever the nest is to be found (there be those who claim to know, but 

 the author is not one of them), one thing is sure, the bin! regards himself as 

 trustee of the whole glen, and his watchful fidelity is imi)artially bestowed upon 

 all parts of it. If you become especially interested in any one spot, — lor reasons 

 best known to yourself — why of course he and his wife can go elsewhere; and 

 they move oft', sniffing loftily. Every half hour or so the male bird ranges the 

 length of the glen. Now he dashes like a swallow across soiue open glade. Now 

 he pauses on a log or stone; alternately moving and inspecting until his voice is 



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