_Seiurus aurocapillus. Case 6, Fig. 64_
An olive brownish bird, white streaked with black
below, with an orange, black-bordered crown and no
white on wings or in tail. L. 6-1/4.
_Range._ Nests from Georgia and Missouri to
Canada; winters from Florida southward.
Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 17.
Ossining, common S.R., Apl. 27-Oct. 10. Cambridge,
very common S.R., May 6-Sept. 15. N. Ohio,
abundant S.R., Apl. 22-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, not
common S.R., common T.V., Apl. 28-Sept. 30. SE.
Minn., common S.R., Apl. 27-Sept. 22.
The Oven-bird, and its near relatives the Water-Thrushes, bear so little
resemblance in color and habits to the true Wood Warblers, that one
might well think they were members of another family. Their plumage
lacks the bright colors, white wing-bars and tail-patches possessed by
most Warblers, and, instead of hopping and flitting from twig to twig,
they spend their time chiefly _walking_ on the ground, where they find
their food.
It is not so much its abundance as its song which makes the Oven-bird
well known. Years ago Mr. Burroughs wrote it, _teacher, teacher,
teacher, teacher, teacher_, and no one has improved on this description.
The Oven-bird also sings an ecstatic warbling on the wing; a thrilling
performance. The nest is built on the ground and, like a Dutch oven, is
roofed over with the entrance at one side. The eggs, laid in May, are
white, marked chiefly at the larger end with brown.