98 B E W I C K ' S WREN.
T H E I R O N - W O O D T R E E , O R W A H O O .
U L M U S AT. AT A, Pursh. Flor. Amer. vol. i. p. 200. Mich. Arbr. Forest, de l'Amer.
Sept. vol. vi. p. 275. PL 5 . — P E N T A N D R I A D I G Y N I A , Linn. AMENTACE.«E, Juss.
Twigs winged on two opposite sides with a corky substance ; leaves
oblongo-oval, acute, nearly equal at the base; fruit downy and ciliated.
This species of Elm occurs only in the Southern States, where it grows
by the sides of rivers and in marshes. It attains a height of from thirty
to forty feet.
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THE LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH.
TURDUS LUDOVICIANUS.
P L A T E X I X . MALE.
M U C H and justly as the song of the Nightingale is admired, I am inclined,
after having often listened to it, to pronounce it in no degree superior
to that of the Louisiana Water Thrush. The notes of the latter
bird are as powerful and mellow, and at times as varied.
This bird is a resident of the low lands of the States of Louisiana and
Mississippi, and is to be found at all seasons in the deepest and most
swampy of our cane brakes, from which its melodies are heard to a considerable
distance, its voice being nearly as loud as that of the Wood
Thrush. The bird may be observed perched on a low bough scarcely
higher than the tops of the canes, in an erect attitude, swelling its
throat, and repeating several times in succession sounds so approaching
the whole two octaves of a good piano-forte, as almost to induce the hearer
to imagine that the keys of that instrument are used on the occasion.
The bird begins on the upper key, and progressively passes from one to
another, until it reaches the base note, this last frequently being lost
when there is the least agitation in the air. Its song is heard even in the
winter, when the weather is calm and warm.
I have taken the liberty of naming this first songster of our groves
after the country which has afforded me my greatest pleasures, not, however,
as I trust I shall prove in the sequel, without having assured myself
that in habits, and somewhat in colour, it differs from its kinsman
the Common Water Thrush.
The Common Water Thrush is at all times, and in every situation,
shy even to wildness. The Louisiana Water Thrush is so gentle and
unsuspicious as to allow a person to approach within a few yards of it.
The species met with in the Eastern and Northern Districts during the
spring months only, has its feet of a clear and transparent flesh-colour,
and its tail even. The Southern bird, on the contrary, has the feet of a
deep bluish-brown, and the tail forked. Never have I seen it wade
through water, although it is always near and over it; while in the bird
of the Northern Districts this is a prominent habit. I may add, that I never
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