THE LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. 175 



No. 79. 



LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. 



A. O. U. No. 676. Seiurus motacilla (VieilL). 



Description. — Adult: Above, dark olive-brown, deeper on crown, more 

 clearly olive on upper tail-coverts ; below white with a distinct bufit'y suffusion 

 on lower belly, flanks, and crissum; spotted and streaked with color of back on 

 breast and sides; throat unspotted; a malar stripe of confluent spots, scattering 

 behind ; a dusky line through eye ; superciliary stripe and allied areas of head 

 definitely white. Length 5.75-6.40 (146.1-162.6) ; wing 3.26 (82.8); tail 2.08 

 (52.8) ; bill .53 (13.5) ; tarsus .89 (22.6). 



Recognition Maries. — Larger; small Sparrow size; thrush-like appearance, 

 semi-terrestrial habits ; throat unspotted and superciliary line definitely white, as 

 distinguished from preceding species. 



Nest, in mossy bank or among roots of upturned tree; of sodden leaves and 

 twigs, lined with grass and rootlets and sometimes hair. Bggs, 4 or 5, sometimes 

 6, white or creamy white, speckled and spotted evenly or in wreaths with cinnamon- 

 brown and lilac-gray. Av. size, .76 x .62 (19.3 x 15.8). 



General Range. — Eastern United States north to southern New England 

 and southern Michigan, casually north to Lake George, northeastern New York, 

 west to the Plains. In winter West Indies, southern Mexico, and Central America 

 to Panama. 



Range in Ohio. — Common summer resident, but of irregular distribution, — 

 along streams and in wilder portion of state, especially the non-glaciated area. 



AMIDST our more modest surroundings the Louisiana Water Thrush oc- 

 cupies much the same position relatively that the Water Ouzel does in the 

 mountainous regions of the West. Both birds possess themselves of the 

 wildest in nature which is to be had, and both are the animating spirits 

 of their chosen haunts. Altho no one suspects any structural affinities between 

 the two, a half dozen other close points of resemblance might be noted, not 

 least among which would be poetic temperament and the talent in song. 



Only the most picturesque and unfrequented glens are tenanted by this 

 poet-bird from the South. Where cool waters trickle down from mossy 

 ledges and pause in shallow pools to mirror the foliage of many trees, here, 

 and here alone, you will find the Water Thrush at home. The bird will discover 

 himself to you by an imperious chink of question and alarm, after which he 

 will pause at the water's edge impatiently, as tho awaiting your withdrawal. 

 The bird stands with the body horizontal or with the hinder parts elevated, 

 jetting the tail vertically from time to time without moving the head, or 

 else bowing with profound but unconvincing gravity. If you are discreet 

 enough to withdraw, or to pretend to, the bird will proceed with the business 

 of getting breakfast, either by wading about in the shallow water, or by 



