SYLVICOLID^ — THE WARBLERS. 285 



two they had in view. And even now the distribution in summer of the 

 ludovicicuiufi is hardly definable with precision. 



Wilson describes the habits of those he observed in Pennsyh'ania as 

 evincing a remarkable partiality for brooks, rivers, ponds, and the vicinity 

 of water generally, wading in shallow pools in search of a(|uatic insects, and 

 giving, as it moves it along, an almost continuously vibratory motion to its 

 tail. He speaks of it as very shy, darting away with signs of alarm when- 

 ever approached, and uttering a sharp cry. In all other respects his account 

 of this bird probably refers to the Louisiana species. 



This is also, without doubt, true of nearly all Audubon gives in connection 

 with tlie history of this Thrush, which in all probability does not breed in 

 Louisiana, nor remain there through April, being at that time well on its way 

 to more northern regions. 



Mr. Gosse, in his notes on the birds of Jamaica, states that this bird re- 

 appears in that island about the end of August. He noticed them about the 

 muddy margins of ponds, and they soon became abundant. Individuals 

 were also to be seen running on the road, especially near the sea-shore, and 

 by the edges of morasses. They ran rapidly, often waded up to their tibiic 

 in water, or ran along the twigs of a fallen tree at the brink, and now and 

 then flew up into the branches of a pimento or an orange-tree. Whether 

 running or standing, they were continually flirting up their tails, after the 

 manner of the European Wagtail During its winter residence in Jamaica 

 it has no song, only a monotonous cry, a sharp chij). Its stomach was 

 found to contain water-insects and shells. Mr. March has noticed their 

 arrival in Jamaica as early as August 5. They all leave by the first of 

 April. 



Mr. Allen found these birds not uncommon both in spring and in fall in 

 the vicinity of Springfield. He thinks a few breed there, as he has met with 

 them in the months of June, July, and August, very sparingly however. 

 They arrive about the 12th of May. I have once, at least, met with its 

 nest and eggs near Boston. 



Dr. Coues says this bird is quite common, both in the spring and fall, 

 near Washington, and breeds sparingly, having been found there in July. 

 They arrive about the first of May, are eminently aquatic, frequent swampy 

 thickets and thick dark woods interspersed with pools, where they associate 

 with the Solitary Tatler. 



In Southern Illinois this species, Mr. Ridgway states, is found only din-ing 

 its migrations and in mild winters. He never met with it in the breeding- 

 season, when the >S'. ludovicianus is so abundant. But it returns early from 

 the North, and he has shot numbers of them in August. During the whole 

 fall they are common about all swampy places, or the margin of creeks in the 

 woods ; and in mild winters a few are found in the swamps of the bottom- 

 lands, where the dense forest affords them comfortable shelter. On warm 

 days in December and January, he has heard them singing with all the vigor 



