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Water-thrush — Part 2
Adult--Upper parts olive brown, somewhat darker on the head; line above the eye buff, or nearly white; under parts white, more or less tinged with light yellow, numerous spots forming broken streaks, less numerous on the belly; the individual spots, particularly those on the breast, are V-shaped. Length--6.04.
Breeding Range--The Northern States, from northern New England northward.
The nest is composed principally of moss, with leaves and roots, and lined with fine hair-like roots. It is placed among the roots of a tree where the bank has fallen away, in a bank, or similar place. The eggs are white, with rather large cinnamon or hazel-brown spots, more thickly distributed about the larger end. Size--.76 x .59.
To find the nest of any of the Water-thrushes requires more than ordinary patience and skill, as they are most cleverly hidden among the overhanging roots along the banks of a stream, or in a mossy bank, usually not far from water. These birds may be seen in damp woods, dried up watercourses, but most frequently along a shallow stream, where they stand or walk on the stones, moving their tails up and down, after the manner of the wagtails, and making short, rapid flights to catch the various insects that fly near the surface of the water. The breeding season begins during the second week in May.