108 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



Water-thrush. Seiurus noveboracensis 



6.04 



A d. — Upper parts dark brown ; line over the eye whitish, buffy in 

 a strong light ; under parts buffy ; everywhere spotted with black. 



Nest, on or near the ground. Eggs, white, spotted with reddish- 

 brown. 



The Water-thrush is a common migrant through southern 

 and central New York and New England during ]May, and 

 again in August and September. It breeds locally in 

 Worcester -County, Mass., and near Dublin, N. H., and 

 commonly in northern New England and New York, fre- 

 quenting the swampy edges of lakes, swampy woods, or the 

 pools in mountain streams. In migration it may be found 

 in any low, wet ground, under trees or bushes, picking its 

 way along the edges of the water, constantly wagging its 

 tail. Its song is loud and clear and may be represented by 

 the syllables twit tivit twit twee twee tivee^oo, all very 

 staccato, and the last notes going down the scale. The call- 

 note is a clear, metallic chip. (See preceding species.) 



Oven-bird. Seiurus aurocapillus 

 6.17 



Ad. — Upper parts brown; crown dull orange, edged with black; 

 breast and sides spotted with black. 



Nest, a bulky structure of dry leaves and stalks, on the ground, 

 with the opening at the side. Eggs, white, spotted with reddish- 

 brown. 



The Oven-bird is a common summer resident throughout 

 New England and New York, arriving early in May and 

 lingering through September. It inhabits woodland of every 

 sort, if there are open spaces under the trees where it may 

 walk over the ground in search of food. It prefers, how- 

 ever, dry open ^voods of deciduous trees. Here its loud 

 song, Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER., TEACH, to modify 

 Mr. Burroughs's version, is one of the first sounds to attract 



