226 PASSERES: Perching Birds 



MOTACILLID.E (Family Wagtails): Small, ground-dwelling 

 birds, distinguished by action rather than by color. 



PIPIT 



(697. Anthus rubescens) 6 in. 



A gray-brown, ground-living bird, with deep buffy under 

 parts, dusky-streaked on chest, and outer edge of tail white. 



Their deliberate walk, gentle "jerking" of tail, and " cheep" 

 as they fly, showing the outer tail-feathers, are quite distinctive. 



FAMILY DIPPERS 



About thirty species are known, scattered over nearly the 

 whole world, but only one in the United States. 



DIPPER: OUZEL 



(701. Cinclus mexicanus uni color) 7| in. 



Wholly slaty gray, with faint brownish wash on upper parts. 

 More or less white-edged in winter on under parts. 



Tail very short. A thick-set, " chunky" bird, totally different 

 in appearance and habits from all other American birds. 



Its home is the swift mountain stream from which it gleans 

 its insect food. Said to fly under water. Characteristic pose is 

 on a water-splashed rock, " teetering" or "dipping" with whole 

 body. 



FAMILY THRASHERS and MOCKINGBIRDS 



Mostly long-tailed, short-winged birds, dull-colored; bill 

 sometimes short and straight, more often long and curved. 



SAGE THRASHER 



(702. Oreoscoptes montanus) 8| in. 



Under parts heavily marked with dusky wedges on dull white 

 ground; brownish gray above; wings edged with whitish; outer 

 three ai7-feathers white-tipped, visible in flight. Bill short and 

 straight. 



In its short bill and short tail, and its habitat, this is the least 

 Thrasher-like of its family. Its attitude on the ground is very 

 Robin-like. 



