WATER THRUSH. 
213 
This shy and retiring syivan species extends its summer 
migrations throughout the United States, breeding rarely in 
Pennsylvania, proceeding principally to the western and 
northern regions at the period of incubation. Mr. Townsend 
and myself observed this bird in Oregon, as well as in Missouri, 
where it was, no doubt, breeding, and sung in a very lively 
manner, keeping in a shady wood which bordered a small 
stream, often descending to the ground after aquatic insects or 
larvae, and with the tail in a constant balancing motion, re- 
minding us strongly of the Wagtail or Motacilla of Europe. 
The Aquatic Thrush has, indeed, a particular partiality for 
the vicinity of waters, wading in the shallow streams in search 
of insects, moving its tail as it leisurely follows its pursuit, and 
chattering as it flies. During its transient migrating visits it is 
very timid, and darts into the thickets as soon as approached, 
uttering a sharp and rather plaintive tshif of alarm. About 
the beginning of May, these birds appear in Pennsylvania from 
the South, and stay around dark and solitary streams for ten 
or twelve days, and then disappear until about the middle of 
August, when, on their way to their tropical winter quarters, 
they leave the swamps and mountains of their summer retreat, 
and, after again gleaning a transient subsistence for a few days 
towards the sea-coast, depart for the season. In Massachu- 
setts they are scarcely ever seen except in the autumn, and 
continue in shady gardens, probably feeding on small wild 
berries till nearly the close of September. 
It appears, according to Wilson, that the favorite resort of 
this species is in the cane-brakes, swamps, river shores, and 
watery solitudes of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi. 
Here it is abundant, and is eminently distinguished by the 
loudness, sweetness, and expressive vivacity of its notes, which, 
beginning high and clear, flow and descend in a cadence so 
delicate as to terminate in sounds that are scarcely audible. 
At such times the singer sits perched on some branch which 
stretches impending over the flowing stream, and pours out his 
charming melody with such effect as to be heard at the dis- 
tance of nearly half a mile, giving a peculiar charm to the dark 
