THE OVEN-BIRD. 219 
ings are usually thickest at the larger end of the egg, where 
they are often confluent, and cover the primary color. 
Dimensions of four specimens collected in a nest in West 
Roxbury, Mass.: .80 by .64 inch, .79 by .64 inch, .79 by 
.62 inch, .78 by .62 inch. A great number of specimens, 
collected in different localities of New England, show no 
great variations from these measurements. 
The habits of this bird are so well known that an ex- 
tended description here is scarcely needed. It is seldom 
found in any but the most retired and thickly wooded local- 
ities, and it generally prefers the neighborhood of a swamp 
for its home. Its song is a peculiar one, and easily recog- 
nized: it consists of the repeated utterance of the syllables, 
quicha, quicha, quicha, quicha, quicha, begun at first very 
low, and rapidly increasing in volume. I have heard this 
song, in the mating and incubating seasons, at all hours of 
the night: the bird seems, at that time, to ascend into the 
air to a considerable height, and utters its notes while hover- 
ing and slowly descending. I have noticed the same habit 
in the Maryland Yellow-throat and some other birds; and 
suppose that it is owing to, and to show, his great affection 
for his mate, and to anxiety for the success of her labors. 
When on the ground, the Oven-bird runs with great 
rapidity, frequently jetting its tail and uttering its sharp 
alarm-note: if the nest is approached, the male throws 
himself in the way of the intruder, and endeavors to draw 
him from its vicinity, scolding all the time with the greatest 
vehemence. If the female is driven from her domicile, she 
suddenly flutters along the ground, her wings extended, 
counterfeiting lameness in a very natural and generally 
effective manner. | 
This species, in consequence of its eminently terrestrial 
habits, often falls a victim to snakes and skunks. I have 
repeatedly found nests, and left them, in order that I might 
acquaint myself with the breeding peculiarities of the bird ; 
and in a day or two, on paying it a second visit, found 
