THE O. & O. SEMI-ANNUAL. 13 
THE LARGE BILLED OR LOUISIANA WATER 
THRUSH. 
Sieurus Motacilla. 
BY C. C. MAXFIELD, WILLARD, N, Y. 
Among the small birds of which very little is written is the subject 
of this sketch, Szeurus motacilla. Only one short article has come 
to my notice during the past few years ; 7. e. an article of the nesting 
of this species in North Carolina, by Mr. R. B. McLaughlin, States- 
ville, N. C. 
It is small, about 6 inches in length ; wing, carpal joint to tip, 
about 3 1-2 inches; bill 1-2 and tarsus 7-8 incbes. The adult male 
is an olive, slightly greenish, brown above, with wings and tail slightly 
less green: a white streak passes from the base of the bill to the back 
of the head through the eyes ; under parts white, tinged with yellow- 
ish and marked with spots of brown from under part of bill to legs ; 
back of legs, a pure yellowish-white with no streaks or spots. Adult 
female : upper parts duller than in the male, under parts a yellowish- 
white with no markings on throat or breast. Male and female usually 
seen together after arrival. 
The first to arrive this year reached central New York the 28th of 
April ; were common in course of two weeks. They are to be seen 
at nearly all times of day in the near vicinity of the small creeks, run- 
ning through the deep ravines that are numerous along the shore of 
Seneca Lake. In the early morning they are to be found in the top- 
most branches of the small trees that line the ravines, giving voice to 
five or six notes that somewhat resemble those of the common Wood 
Thrush, although found to differ greatly when brought into direct 
contrast. Usually during the forenoon, they are found feeding on the 
narrow, gravelly beaches that line the creeks. When disturbed on 
their feeding grounds they give utterance to a loud “chip” and fly . 
