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NOTES ON TROPICAL FRUITS. 183 
a sand-piper, for which, at a distance, it may easily be 
mistaken. Its ordinary note is a loud, sharp “cluck ;” but 
in August, when it returns, it has a beautiful song, loud, 
clear, and sweet, rivalling that of the wood-thrush for beauty. 
It is quite abundant. 
There is a closely allied form of the water-thrush, which 
is probably entitled to specific rank ; the Large-billed Water- 
thrush (Seiurus Ludovicianus). Audubon first discovered it, 
and at the time considered it as distinct from the ordinary 
bird, but afterwards held it merely as a variety. The two 
birds certainly present greater difference than other nearly 
allied species of warblers that are acknowledged to be dis- 
tinct, as the Connecticut and mourning warblers ; and there is 
little doubt but that they are really different species. I have 
Seldom seen the large-billed water-thrush, and am inclined 
to think that it is much rarer than the common wagtail, in 
this part of the country at least. In its habits and general 
appearance it seems to be the same as the awrocapillus, 
Which may partly account for the fact that it is rarely 
noticed. I have never heard its notes; they are said to be 
senenhy beautiful, almost equalling those of the nightin- 
gale. i 

NOTES ON TROPICAL FRUITS. 
BY WILLIAM T. BRIGHAM. 

Ir may be that one day we shall know the different varie- 
ties of oranges, of coffee, of sugar-cane, as we know the pears 
and apples of our own orchards; but at present we know 
only that some kinds are better than others. Travellers often 
describe in glowing terms the tropical fruits, but most of us 
know the banana (the apple of the tropics) by one typical 
form. The pleasant season for travelling in the tropics is 
hot the season of fruits, so that many are not noticed by the 
