WATER THRUSH. 151 



WATER THRUSH.* 



Bessy Kick-up River-pink. (Rob. MSS.) 



Seiurus Noveboracensis. 



Motacilla Noveboracensis, GM. Aud. pi. 426. 

 Turdus aquaticus, WILS. 



Seiurus Noveboracensis , Sw. 



I FIRST saw this amusing species about the end 

 of August, around the muddy margins of ponds in 

 St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland ; and immediately 

 afterward they became so abundant, that individuals 

 were to be seen running here and there on the 

 road, all the way from Bluefields to Savanna-le- 

 Mar, especially along the sea-shore, and by the 

 edges of morasses; not at all associating, however. 

 They run rapidly ; often wade up to the heel in 

 the water, or run along the twigs of a fallen tree 

 at the brink, now and then flying up into the 

 pimento and orange trees. When walking or stand- 

 ing, the tail is continually flirted up in the manner 

 of the Wagtails, whence the local name of Kick- 

 up, though, perhaps, none but a negro would con- 

 sider a motion of the tail, kicking. The resem- 

 blance of this bird to the Wagtail, Wilson has 

 noticed, and it is very striking in many respects. 

 It walks among the low grass of pastures, picking 

 here and there, wagging the tail, and uttering a 



* Length 5 inches, expanse 9 j^, flexure 3, tail 2, rictus ^, tarsus 

 ^ middle toe $. 



