358 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



313. (675a). Seiurtis noveboracensh notabilis (Grinn.). Grinnell 



Water-Thrush. 



The notes upon the Grinnell Water-Thrush and the eastern 

 variety {S . novoboraccnsis) are somewhat confused in Iowa records 

 as most observers fail to differentiate between them. S. n. nota- 

 bilis is described as identical in coloration with the eastern Water- 

 Thrush, but larger, length 6.00-6.25; wing 3.00-3.25; bill over 

 .50, etc.; habitat chiefly in interior of North America, east to 

 Illinois and western Indiana. Kumlien and Hollister state that 

 the two varieties occur together in southeastern Wisconsin, which 

 seems to be on the dividing line (Birds of Wis., pp. 1 16-17). All 

 Iowa specimens which I have examined appear to belong to nota- 

 bilis. The species is a tolerably common migrant in nearly all 

 parts of the state in the first half of May and the middle of Sep- 

 tember, but has been taken as late as October 10 (Scott). It is 

 nearly always found in damp woods, usually near ravines or water- 

 courses, running rapidly along the ground and occaionally perch- 

 ing in low trees, where the peculiar see-saw or jerking movements 

 of the tail render it somewhat conspicuous. 



The Grinnell Water -Thrush is rarely found in Iowa as a sum- 

 mer resident. Keyes and Williams state that a female was taken 

 in June, 1884, a few miles north of Des Moines, feeding young 

 just from the nest (Birds of Iowa, 155). In Blackhawk county 

 M. E. Peck gives it as an abundant migrant and quite common 

 during the breeding season. Prof. G. W. Walters reports it as an 

 occasional migrant and nesting in Blackhawk. H. J. Giddings 

 gives it as a common summer resident in Jackson county and W. 

 G. Savage as a common summer resident in Poweshiek, while 

 Ivynds Jones gave it as a tolerably common transient in the same 

 county. 



314. (676). Seiurus motacilla{\\e.\\\.). I^ouisiana Water-Thrush. 



The lyouisiana Water-Thrush or L,arge-billed Water-Thrush or 

 Wagtail is a species of more southern distribution, but occurs in 

 summer along the Mississippi bottoms as far north as Red Wing, 

 Minnesota (Roberts, Auk, xvi, 1899, pp. 239-46). 



It is found in most parts of Iowa, breeding sparingly through- 

 out its range, but is generally rare north of the middle of the 

 state. The bird arrives from the south rather early, from the 



