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THE LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH. 



2'URDUS LUDOVICIANUS. 

 PLATE XIX. Male. 



Much and justly as the song of the Nightingale is admired, I am in- 

 clined, after having often hstened to it, to pronounce it in no degree su- 

 perior to that of the Louisiana Water Thrush. The notes of the latter 

 bird are as powerful and mellow, and at times as varied. 



This bird is a resident of the low lands of the States of Louisiana and 

 Mississippi, and is to be found at all seasons in the deepest and most 

 swampy of our cane brakes, from which its melodies are heard to a con- 

 siderable distance, its voice being nearly as loud as that of the Wood 

 Thrush. The bird may be observed perched on a low bough scarcely 

 higher than the tops of the canes, in an erect attitude, swelling its 

 throat, and repeating several times in succession sounds so approaching 

 the whole two octaves of a good piano-forte, as almost to induce the hearer 

 to imagine that the keys of that instrument are used on the occasion. 

 The bird begins on the upper key, and progressively passes from one to 

 another, until it reaches the base note, this last frequently being lost 

 when there is the least agitation in the air. Its song is heard even in the 

 winter, when the weather is calm and warm. 



I have taken the liberty of naming this first songster of our groves 

 after the country which has afforded me my greatest pleasures, not, how- 

 ever, as I trust I shall prove in the sequel, without having assured my- 

 self that in habits, and somewhat in colour, it differs from its kinsman 

 the Common Water Thrush. 



The Common Water Thrush is at all times, and in every situation, 

 shy even to wildness. The Louisiana Water Thrush is so gentle and 

 unsuspicious as to allow a person to approach within a few yards of it. 

 The species met with in the Eastern and Northern Districts during the 

 spring months only, has its feet of a clear and transparent flesh-colour, 

 and its tail even. The Southern bird, on the contrary, has the feet of a 

 deep bluish-brown, and the tail forked. Never have I seen it wade 

 through water, although it is always near and over it ; while in the bird 

 of the Northern Districts this is a prominent habit. I may add, that I never 



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