368 WOOD WARBLERS. 



675a. S. n. notabilis (Ridgw.}. GRINNELL'S WATER- THRUSH. Simi- 

 lar to the preceding, but slightly larger, upper parts darker, under parts and 

 line over the eye whiter. W., 3-10 ; T., 2-20 ; B. from N., -37. 



Range. " United States, from Illinois westward to California, and north 

 into British America"; eastward during the migrations to Virginia and the 

 South Atlantic States, casually to New Jersey ; winters from the Gulf States 

 to northern South America. 



Washington, casual, two instances, May. 



676. Seiurus motacilla ( VieilL). LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Ad. 



A conspicuous white line over the eye; upper parts, wings, and tail olive- 

 no wing-bars or tail-patches ; under parts white, tinged with cream-buff, espe- 

 cially on the flanks, and streaked with black, except on the throat and middle 

 of the belly. L., 6-28 ; W., 3-23 ; T., 2*14 ; B. from N., -40. 



Remarks. Aside from its larger size, this bird may be known from the 

 two preceding by the whiter, more conspicuous line over the eye, butty instead 

 of yellowish tinge on the under parts, and absence of spots on the throat. 



Range. Eastern United States; breeds as far north as Minnesota and 

 Connecticut ; winters in the tropics. 



Washington, rare S. E., Apl. 14 to Sept. 5. Sing Sing, common S. K., Apl. 

 9 to Aug. 24. 



JVe^, of leaves, twigs, and rootlets, under a bank or the upturned roots of 

 a fallen tree. Eggs, four to six, white, evenly speckled or spotted, distinctly 

 and obscurely, with cinnamon- or rufous-brown, -75 x -60. 



Few birds are more particular in their choice of homes than the 

 Water-Thrush. He lives where dashing brooks leap down wooded 

 hillsides, or, more rarely, where quieter streams flow through the low- 

 land forests. He is a wild, shy bird, and his never-ceasing alertness 

 suggests the watchfulness of the savage. Approach as quietly as you 

 will, the Water-Thrush knows of your coming. With a tilting motion 

 he walks on ahead, springs from rock to rock, or with a sharp, metallic 

 chink of alarm takes wing and darts through the woods so low you 

 scarcely get a glimpse of him. From a distant limb near the ground 

 he watches you, constantly teetering his body as though even when 

 resting he must find some outlet for his surplus nervous energy. 



As a songster the Water-Thrush is without a rival. His song is 

 not to be compared with the clear-voiced carol of the Rose-breasted 

 Grosbeak, the plaintive chant of the Field Sparrow, or the hymnlike 

 melody of the true Thrushes ; it is of a different kind. It is the un- 

 tamable spirit of the bird rendered in music. There is an almost fierce 

 wildness in its ringing notes. On rare occasions he is inspired to voice 

 his passion in a flight-song, which so far exceeds his usual performance 

 that even the memory of it is thrilling. 



677. Geothlypis formosa ( IH7.O. KENTUCKY WARBLER. Ad. $ . 

 (Fig. 105.) A yellow line from the bill passes over and around the back of 



