36 
GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 
falling with an almost imperceptible gradation till they are scarcely 
articulated. At these times the musician is perched on the middle 
branches of a tree over the brook or river bank, pouring out his 
charming melody, that may be distinctly heard for nearly half a 
mile. 
The voice of this little bird appeared to me so exquisitely sweet and 
expressive, that I was never tired of listening to it, while traversing the 
deep shaded hollows of those cane-brakes where it usually resorts. I 
have never yet met with its nest. 
The Water Thrush is six inches long, and nine and a half in extent ; 
the whole upper parts are of a uniform and very dark olive, with a line 
of white extending over the eye, and along the sides of the neck ; the 
lower parts are white, tinged with yellow ochre ; the whole breast and 
sides are marked with pointed spots or streaks of black or deep brown ; 
bill dusky brown ; legs flesh-colored ; tail nearly even ; bill formed 
almost exactly like the Golden-crowned Thrush (Turdus aurocapittus), 
and except in frequenting the water, much resembling it in manners. 
Male and female nearly alike. 
Species VII. TURD US A UROCA PILL US. 
GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 
[Plate XIV. Fig. 2.] 
Edw. 252. — LATn. in., 21. — La figuier a We d'or, Briss. hi., 50-1. — La Grivelette 
de St. Domingue, Buff, hi., 317, PL Enl. m.—Arct. Zool. p. 339, No. 203.— 
Tardus minimus, vertice Aurio, the least ■ Golden-crown Thrush, Bartram, p. 
290. 
Though the epithet goldcn-croivned, is not very suitable for this bird, 
that part of the head being rather of a brownish orange, yet, to avoid 
confusion, I have retained it. 
This is also a migratory species, arriving in Pennsylvania late in 
April, and leaving us again late in September. It is altogether an 
inhabitant of the woods, runs along the ground like a lark, and even 
along the horizontal branches, frequently moving its tail in the manner 
of the Wagtails. It has no song; but a shrill, energetic twitter, formed 
by the rapid reiteration of two notes, peclie, peche, pcclie, for a quarter 
of a minute at a time. It builds a snug, somewhat singular nest, on 
the ground, in the woods, generally on a declivity facing the south. 
This is formed of leaves and dry grass, and lined with hair. Though 
sunk below the surface, it is arched over, and only a small hole left for 
entrance ; the eggs are four, sometimes five, white, irregularly spotted 
