THE OVEN-BIBD. 147 



cality and the kind of wood or pasture in which it is placed, 

 the domed form is the same everywhere, and ahvays admirable. 

 The only way to find it is slowly to search the ground where 

 the nest is suspected, or where it seems likely one may be, and 

 starde the bird out of its retreat. Even then one cannot al- 

 ways be sure of his prize, for when thus surprised the mother 

 runs from the nest with the silence and celerity of a mouse. 



These nests are not always domed, however, like old-fashioned 

 ovens in miniature. Now and then the bird so takes advantage 

 of a sheltering rock or the protection of a projecting root, — mak- 

 ing any superstructure unnecessary to its concealment, — that I 

 think the roof of the unsheltered nest must be intended as a 

 guard against the eyes of enemies rather than any shield from 

 the weather. The fact that nests built in very thick woods are 

 frequently left uncovered supports this belief. Dr. Brewer tells 

 pleasantly how his daughter, then a child of four years of age, 

 discovered such an one. It was built in a depression in the 

 ground and its top was completely covered by the natural growth 

 of surrounding vines and wild flowers. Although the little girl 

 and her father were standing with their feet almost upon the 

 nest, the warbler remained sitting quietly until the child stooped 

 to pluck the flowers growing directly over its entrance; then 

 the bird darted out and fluttered and tumbled about with well- 

 feigned manoeuvres to distract attention from her treasures. The 

 child in great glee tried to catch it, but of course failed ; while 

 the father, wiser in the ways of birds, stooped to examine the 

 nest and saw that it had no other cover than the wild plants 

 that clustered above it. 



The eggs of the golden-crowned thrush are subject to considerable va- 

 riation. Their markings differ in color and shade, and yet more 111 num- 

 ber, size and manner of distribution. The eggs are oval in shape, one 

 end being only very slightly smaller than the other. Their average length 

 13 .82 of an inch, and their breadth is .55 of an inch. Their ;/■ and col- 

 or is a beautiful creamy white. They are marked, usually principally about 

 the larger end, with dots and blotches, intermingled, of red, reddish brown, 

 lilac, purple and ferruginous. Occasionally these make a beautiful crown 

 around the larger end, leaving the rest of the surface nearly free from spots. 



