176 
ZOOLOGY. 
water, and appears to be equally at borne either on the surface or under. One curious fact I 
noticed in regard to this bird is, that I frequently saw them singly or in couples , but never more 
than two together. In fact, they seem to prefer solitude, and eschew all sociable communion, or 
the slightest attempt at gregarious life, except the indispensable union of a pair for the purpose 
of procreation. 
I never saw this bird on or near still water. They prefer and delight in wild mountain 
streams, where, among cascades, eddies, and swift currents, they lead their curious lives. 
George Gibbs, esq., in a letter to me, mentions seeing this bird at Bellingham bay, and also 
says: “The bird described by Nuttall as the American water ouzel was common on the Salmon 
river, which is a rapid, brawling stream. As I sat at my cradle on the bank, a pair of them, 
which I suppose had their nests hard by, or, perhaps, as it was July or August, had already 
hatched their brood, used to play in the water near me, sometimes alighting at the head of a 
rapid, allowing themselves to be swept under, and then rising below. They dive with great 
celerity, and at times beat the water with their wings, throwing the spray over themselves. 
Their whistle was sweet and rather sad, but they seemed very happy and busy fellows notwith¬ 
standing, and in nowise afraid of the harsh rattle of the miner’s cradle.” 
It is not uncommon on the small streams about Puget Sound, but still not so numerous as in 
the Rocky mountains.—S. 
Family S Y LYIC 0 LID AE T h e Warblers. 
Sub-Family MOTACILLINAE.—The Wagtails. 
ANTHUS LUDOVICIANUS, Licht. 
American Tit Lark. 
Alauda ludoviciam, Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 793. 
Anthus ludovicianus, Licht. Verz. 1823, 37, No. 421. —Rich. List, 1837. —Bonap. List, 1838. —Ib. Conspectus, 1850, 
249. —Audubon, Synopsis, 1839, 94. —Ib. Birds Amer. Ill, 1841, 40; pi. 150. 
Alauda rufa, Wilson, Am. Orn. V, 1812, 89; pi. lxxxix. 
Anthus spinolella, Bonap. Synopsis, 1828, 90, (not of Linnaeus.)— Aud. Orn. Biog. I, 1832,408: V, 1839, 449 pi. 80.— 
Nuttall, Man. I, 1832, 450. 
Anthus aquations, Aud. Name on PI. x, folioed. 
Anthus pipieus, Aud. Orn. Biog. 1,1832, 408: Y, 1839, 449; pi. 80. (Young ?) 
“ Anthus ludovicianus, Licht.” Baird, Gen. Rep. Birds, p. 232. 
Sp. Ch.— (Female, in spring.) Above olive brown, each feather slightly darter towards the central portion ; benea hpale 
dull buff, or yellowish brown, with a maxillary series of dark brown spots and streaks across the breast and along sides. Ring 
round the eye, and superciliary stripe yellowish. Central tail feathers like the back, others dark blackish brown; the external 
one white, except at the base within; a white spot at the end of the second. Primaries edged with whitish, other quills with pale 
brownish. Length, 6 to 6.50; extent, 10£ to 11; wing, 3 45; tail, 2.95. Iris, dark brown; bill, yellow and black; feet, brown. 
Hab. —North America generally. Greenland, (Reinhardt.) Accidental in Europe. 
The American tit lark is abundant on the prairies of the Territory during winter, and 
probably breeds on the mountains. In September it arrives on the prairies along the coast in 
large flocks, and remains until May; but I believe none are found there during summer.—C. 
Found by me in St. Mary’s valley, Washington Territory.—S. 
