325 
Distinction. Easily distinguished from the Ovenbird by its finer, more generally 
distributed striping and general yellowish colour below; its darker colour above (sooty 
brown rather than olive-brown); its decided 
face marks, especially strong superciliary line 
and the solid dark (nearly black) crown (Fig- 
ure 296). From any of the true Thrushes it 
may be separated by its smaller size, darker, 
almost black, coloration above and yellowish 
below, and its distinct face marks. No true 
thrush has a distinct superciliary line or eye- 
bar 
Field Marks. The Water-Thrushes may be 
known by their thrush-like look, small size, and 
dark coloration and the habitual upward 
jerking of the tail (like some Sandpipers) as 
they walk or stand. 
Nesting. On mossy bank or in tumed-up Figure 296 
roots of a tree, usually near or over water, in nest Northern Water-Thrush (male) ; natural size, 
of moss lined with tendrils and fine rootlets. 
Distribution. North America. Across Canada, except southwestern British Colum- 
bia; north to tree limit. 
SUBSPECIES. Two subspecies are recognized. The Eastern Water-Thrush Seiurus 
noveboracensis noveboracensis should not occur west of Ontario. Grinnell’s Water-Thrush 
Seiurus noveboracensis notabUis is more sooty and less olive above; less yellow below; and 
should occupy the remainder of the specific range in Canada. The distinctions, however, 
are so fine that there is considerable difficulty in defining the ranges of the two forms and 
the ordinary observer can well disregard them. gg 
The favourite haunt of the Water-Thrush is in wet cedar swamps 
or the thick undergrowth bordering woodland streams. Its voice is loud 
and clear and it has a weird, fascinating sound in admirable keeping with 
the mystery of its surroundings. 
Ground Warblers 
The Ground Warblers are rather larger than the Woodland Warblers, 
but considerably smaller than the Wagtail Warblers and have compara- 
tively stout legs and short wings. Their colours are largely green and 
bright yellow. They inhabit low shrubbery ana are seldom seen far above 
the ground. 
678. Connecticut Warbler. Oporornis agilis. L, 5-40. A greenish Warbler. Male: 
clear lemon-yellow below; face and throat to upper breast even bluish grey with a fine 
white eye-ring (Figure 297). The female is 
similar, but grey paler. Juveniles have the grey 
replaced by a lighter bully shade of the back 
coloration. 
Distinctions. This species is so like the 
Mourning and Macgillivray’s Warblers that at 
times it can be separated only with difficulty. 
Adult males, having a conspicuous eye-ring and 
perfectly even grey throat and breast, are 
distinctive enough. Females may be told by the 
eye-ring and by having the top of the head strongly 
suffused with the olive of the back and not show- 
ing clear grey. Juveniles when they show the 
eye-ring are usually quite distinctive, though 
Mourning and Macgillivray’s Warblers of similar 
age have an indication of it. When the eye-ring 
is not conclusive evidence, the difference in the 
. _ _ colour of the throat and breast, a buffy olive 
instead of an even lightening and greying of the pure yellow below, is a good guide. 
