380 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



in Manitoba. Mr. M. K. Barnum, of Syracuse, New York, found a nest 

 of this species in the roots of a tree at the edge of a swamp, on May 

 30. It was well concealed by the overhanging roots, and the cavity was 

 nearly filled with moss, leaves and fine rootlets. The nest at this date 

 contained three young and one egg. 



The eggs of this species are four or five in number. Two sets are 

 in Mr. Norris' cabinet; one taken near Listowel, Ontario, from a nest 

 under a stump in a swamp, on June 7, 1888; the other set is from New 

 Canada, Nova Scotia, and was taken July 30, 1886. The nest was built 

 in moss on the side of a fallen tree. They are creamy-white, speckled 

 and spotted, most heavily at the larger ends, with hazel and lilac, and 

 cinnamon-rufous ; in the last mentioned set forming wreaths near the 

 larger ends. Their sizes are .78 x .54, .78 x .56, .77 x .55, .yy x .54 ; .78 x 

 61, .78 x .63, .yy X .60, .yy x .59. 



676. Seiurus motacilla (Vieill) [117.] 



Iiouisiaua Water-Thrush. 



Hab. Eastern United States, north to the Great Lakes and Southern New England, west to the plains. 

 In winter, Gulf States, West Indies, Eastern Mexico and Middle America. 



The Large-billed Water-Thrush, or Large-billed Wag-tail Warbler 

 breeds more or less commonly in suitable places throughout its United 

 States range south of about latitude 42°. It is found during the sum- 

 mer months as far west as Kansas, where Col. Goss notes it as a 

 common summer resident, and begins laying about the 8th of May. 

 It is rare in Nebraska, and a few remain to breed in Iowa, but it does 

 not appear to occur in Minnesota. It is a common summer resident 

 in Ohio, but of irregular distribution. Mr. William Brewster found 

 this species breeding in Knox county, Indiana, and gives an excellent 

 account of its nest and eggs.* Hon. J. N. Clark met with it breeding 

 quite commonly in Middlesex county, Connecticut, where he took 

 complete sets of eggs as early as May y.-f In the northwestern por- 

 tion of North Carolina (Iredell county), Mr. R. B. McLaughlin took 

 eggs of this species in April and May. The nest, according to all 

 observers, is built and carefully hidden in the cavities among the roots 

 of fallen trees, old logs, stumps, or mossy banks — always in swampy 

 places. They are usually bulky, and made of partially decayed leaves, 

 which the female extracts from the bog with mud adhering to them. 

 These are laid together, and when dry make a solid and compact 

 structure. The inner nest is formed of grape-grass, and sometimes 

 hair. The great similarity of the materials in the nest to the external 

 surroundings makes it difficult to detect. Mr. McLaughlin says that 



* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, III, pp. 133-135. 



f For Mr. Clark's extended account, see Ornithologist and Oologist, VII, pp. 145-147. 



