20 C. II Merriam — liirds of Connecticut. 



begin to construct their nests, which are commonly placed in a fork 

 of the topmost limb of a pine tree."* 



47. Siurus auricapillus (Linne) Swainson. Golden-crowned Thrush; 



" Oven Bird." 



A common summer resident, arriving early in May (May 3), and 

 remaining till the latter part of September. Breeds abundantly. Its 

 characteristic loud, but not particularly pleasing, note frequently 

 annoys one while listening for the softer tones of some of the rarer 

 warblers. 



48. Siurus naevius (Boddaert) Coues.f (Noveboracensis of Authors.) Water- 



Wagtail; Water Thrush. 



Rather common during migrations. Possibly a few occasionally 

 remain and breed. Arrives early in May. Have taken it in spring 

 from May 5th to 27th ; and in fall from Sept. 28th to Oct. 18th. Mr. 

 Gentry, in his late work on the " Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania," says 

 that it " cannot be considered either abundant or rare." The same 

 remark applies here in spring, when they frequent their favorite haunts 

 near some small stream or swampy place in woodland. In the fall, 

 however, they sometimes congregate in rather large flocks and may 

 then be seen on hill-sides away from water. 



49. Siurus motacilla (Vieillot) Coues. (Ludovicianus of Authors.) Large- 



billed Water Thrush. 



Not rare in southern Connecticut, where it breeds regularly, and 

 probably in considerable numbers. Arrives earlier than either of the 

 other species. I shot a fine male on the 27th of April, 1877. That 

 they also breed very early is shown by the fact that a female, con- 

 taining an egg ready for the nest, was shot by my friend, Mr. Dayan, 

 on the 17th of May, 1876; and Mr. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., 

 tells me that the young are generally hatched before May 25th. The 

 fact of its breeding regularly in southern New England has now 

 become so well established that it would be superfluous to cite the 

 numerous published records of its capture. 



In habits it seems to agree with S. ncevius — at least in its fondness 

 for shaded streams. Its note is peculiarly loud and clear, and does 



* The Birds of Florida. By. C. J. Maynard. Part II, p. 49. Salem, 1873. 

 \ For the nomenclature of this genus, see Coues, in Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornith. 

 Club, vol. ii, No. 2. April, 1811. 



