WATER THRUSH. 213 



This shy and retiring sylvan species extends its summer 

 migrations throughout the United States, breeding rarely in 

 Pennsylvania, proceeding principally to the western and 

 northern regions at the period of incubation. Mr. Townsend 

 and myself observed this bird in Oregon, as well as in Missouri, 

 where it was, no doubt, breeding, and sung in a very lively 

 manner, keeping in a shady wood which bordered a small 

 stream, often descending to the ground after aquatic insects or 

 larvEe, and with the tail in a constant balancing motion, re- 

 minding us strongly of the Wagtail or Motacilla of Europe. 



The Aquatic Thrush has, indeed, a particular partiality for 

 the vicinity of waters, wading in the shallow streams in search 

 of insects, moving its tail as it leisurely follows its pursuit, and 

 chattering as it flies. During its transient migrating visits it is 

 very timid, and darts into the thickets as soon as approached, 

 uttering a sharp and rather plaintive tshif of alarm. About 

 the beginning of May, these birds appear in Pennsylvania from 

 the South, and stay around dark and solitary streams for ten 

 or twelve days, and then disappear until about the middle of 

 August, when, on their way to their tropical winter quarters, 

 they leave the swamps and mountains of their summer retreat, 

 and, after again gleaning a transient subsistence for a few days 

 towards the sea-coast, depart for the season. In Massachu- 

 setts they are scarcely ever seen except in the autumn, and 

 continue in shady gardens, probably feeding on small wild 

 berries till nearly the close of September. 



It appears, according to Wilson, that the favorite resort of 

 this species is in the cane-brakes, swamps, river shores, and 

 watery solitudes of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi. 

 Here it is abundant, and is eminently distinguished by the 

 loudness, sweetness, and expressive vivacity of its notes, which, 

 beginning high and clear, flow and descend in a cadence so 

 delicate as to terminate in sounds that are scarcely audible. 

 At such times the singer sits perched on some branch which 

 stretches impending over the flowing stream, and pours out his 

 charming melody with such effect as to be heard at the dis- 

 tance of nearly half a mile, giving a peculiar charm to the dark 



