OVEN-BIRD. 



674. Seiurus aurocapillus. 6 inches. 



Crown orange brown bordered by black; no white in 

 wings or tail. 



This bird is found in open woods, where it builds its 

 arched nest on the ground among the leaves or pine 

 needles. It is the peculiar oven-like construction of their 

 nests that gives them their name. They are essentially 

 ground birds, only mounting to the lower branches of 

 trees to sing or when scolding an intruder. 



Song. — A peculiar ascending song resembling the word 

 teacher, repeated five or six times and gathering strength 

 and volume with each syllable; call, a sharp chip. 



Nest. — Of leaves, strips of bark and grass arched over 

 the top so as to leave a very small opening; placed on 

 the ground in woods ; four to six white eggs spotted with 

 reddish brown ( ,78 x ,58 ) , 



Range. — Eastern N. A,, breeding in the northern half 

 of the U. S. and north to Labrador; winters chiefly south 

 of U. S. 



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