Page:Birdcraft-1897.djvu/167

  Water Thrush: Seiurus noveboracensis.


 * Length:
 * 5-6 inches.


 * Male and Female:
 * Above, including wings and tail, plain olive-brown. Under parts sulphur-yellow, specked everywhere, except a space in the middle of belly, with dark brown. Spots small on throat, and growing larger below. Bill and feet dark.


 * Song:
 * Liquid and Thrush-like.


 * Season:
 * Early May, late August, and September, Breeds: From northern New England northward.


 * Nest:
 * In inaccessible swampy places, especially sphagnum bogs, upon the ground, or between old stumps; bulky; made of moss, roots, and Stage.


 * Eggs:
 * 4-6, white and thickly speckled.


 * Range:
 * Eastern United States to Illinois, and northward to Aretic America; south in winter to the West Indies and northern South America.

The Water Thrush usually appears at the same time as the Ovenbird, but never ventures with it into the garden. He is a water-loving recluse, who seems to have learned his song from the brooks that tinkle and dance over the little pebbles, and is never content away from the voice of his teachers.

If you catch a glimpse of him, away he goes, running through the leaves and tangled underbrush, wagging or jerking his tail in a very knowing way, and few land-birds will lead you such an uncertain dance through bog briars as he will, if you have the pluck to follow him.

  Louisiana Water Thrush. Seiurus motacilla.


 * Length:
 * 6-6.25 Inches.


 * Male and Female.
 * Peculiarly heavy, dark bill. Above grayish brown, with a brown crown and white line over the eye. Creamy white breast, sparingly streaked with brown. Legs lightish.}}


 * Song:
 * A thrilling warble, interspersed with flute and water notes.


 * Season:
 * Summer resident, arriving the last of April.


 * Breeds:
 * Through its United States range.


 * Nest and Eggs:
 * Like the last species, but often sunken in the ground. danger Eastern United States, north to southern New England and Michican. casually to lake George, west to the Plains: in West Indies, southern Mexico, and Central America.

