SYLV1COL1D.E — THE WARBLKRS. 285 



two thfiy had in vit'W. And even now the distribution in summer of the 

 lt((/ocici((/iu.'i is hiirdly detinahle with precision. 



Wilson describes the Imbits of those he observed in Pennsylvania as 

 evincing a remarkable ])artiality for brooks, rivei-s, ponds, and the vicinity 

 of water ji;enerally, wadin^^ in shallow jmjoIs in search of acjuatic insects, and 

 ^i^iving, as it moves it ah)nL;-, an almost continuously vil)ratory nioti(m to its 

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

 ever ajjproaclu'd, 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 the 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 Hew up into the branches of a pimento or an orange-tree. Whether 

 ruuijing or standing, they were continually Hirting up their tails, after the 

 manner of the European Wagtail. During its winter residence in Jamaica 

 it has no song, oidy a monotonous cry, a sharp chip. Its stomach was 

 found to contain water-insects and shells. ^Ir. ^larch has noticed their 

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

 April. 



Mr. Allen found these birds m)t 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 s})aringly 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 (juite common, both in the spring and fall, 

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

 They arrive about the first of ^Nlay, are eminently acjuatic, frcMiuent swampy 

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

 with the Solitary Tatler. 



In Southern Illinois this species, Mr. Kidgway states, is found only during 

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

 season, when the S. liuforiciKuus is so abundant. But it returns early from 

 the North, and he has shot nund)ers of them in Au'^ust. During the whole 

 fall they are common about all swani})y 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 aftords them ct)mfortable shelter. On warm 

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



