40. 
135. 
308 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSERES — OSCINES. 
species nay always be known by the lack of any special sharp markings whatever, except the 
superciliary line ; and by the combination of white wing-bars with large oblique tail-spots 
confined to the two outer pairs of feathers. On@®0f the largest species, as well as most simply 
colored; length 5.50-5.75; extent §.50-9.00; wing 2.75-3.00; tail 2.40; tarsus 0.70; bill 
0.45. Eastern U.58., strictly; N. only to Canada and New Brunswick, W. only to the Missis- 
sippi Valley. Breeds throughout its whole range, and abounds in wiuter in the Southern 
States; is nearly resident, being sometimes seen in the Middle States in midwinter, and in 
New England early and late, with snow. Nests in pine-trees ; nest and eggs not peculiar. 
* Thus passing in review the 23 * solid” species of Dendreca, with two varieties lately 
introduced, I may allude to two species described by early authors, but never identified. 
1. Sylvia montana, Wilson. This I have given (in the orig. ed., p-. 105) some reasons for sup- 
posing to be a young D. virens. 2. Sylvia carbonata, Audubon. A strongly-marked bird, 
the like of which has never been seen since. It has been conjectured to be a hybrid of D. 
tigrina and D. striata. 
SIU/RUS. (Gr. cei, seio, I wave or brandish ; odpa, owra, tail.) WaAG-Tram WARBLERS. In 
general form scarcely distinguishable from Dendreca ; larger in size, different in pattern of 
coloration, in habits, gait, and nidification. Bill ordinary. Rictal bristles short but evident. 
Wings pointed, much longer than tail. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. Tail nearly 
even, with rather acute feathers, and long, copious under coyerts. Neither wings nor tail parti- 
colored. Above olivaceous, with or without head-markings, otherwise uniform ; below white, 
butty, or yellowish, profusely streaked. Legs slender, usually pale-colored. Habits terrestrial 
to some extent; nest on the ground; eggs white, spotted. Vocal powers preéminent. Gait 
ambulatorial, not saltatorial, aud some other traits decidedly Motacilline. 
Analysis of Species 
Crown orange-brown, with two black stripes; no superciliary line . ........ auricapillus 135 
Crown like back; a long superciliary line. 
Below, yellowish, heavily streaked; smaller; bill not over0.60 . ......... . - nevius 136 
Below, whitish, lightly streaked ; larger; bill over 0.50... . =... +... . =. =. .motacilla 138 
S. auricapil’lus. (Lat. awrwm, gold; capillus, hair. Fig. 169.) GoLDEN-CROWNED WaG- 
TAIL WARBLER. GOLDEN-CROWNED ACCENTOR. GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. OVEN-BIRD. 
& ¢, adult: Entire upper parts, including the wings and tail, uniform bright olive-green, 
without markings. Top of head with black lateral stripes, bounding a golden-brown or dull 
orange space. A white ring round eye; no white super- 
ciliary stripe. Under parts white, thickly spotted with 
dusky on the breast, the spots lengthening into streaks on 
the sides; a narrow black mavillary line; under wing- 
coverts tinged with yellow. Legs flesh-colored. Length 
5.75-6.50, usually 6.00-6.25 ; extent 8.75-10.40, usually 
9.50-10.00; wing 2.90-3.25; tail about 2.50. Varies 
mueh in size, but is remarkably constant in coloration with 
Fic. 169. —Oven-bird, nat. size. (Ad age, sex, and season; sexes indistinguishable, and young 
Eg ee) searcely to be told from the adults. Fall specimens 
ordinarily quite as bright-colored as those of spring ; and the orange-brown crown-spot, though 
it may be less bright, is aequired by the young with their first full feathering. There are 
at first no erown-stripes, and the lower parts are buffy, indistinctly streaked ; upper parts 
fulvous-brown ; wings and tail as in the adult. N. Am., W. to Colorado, Dakota, and 
Alaska; breeds throughout its N. Am. range; winters from the southern border southward. A 
pretty and engaging species, called ‘‘ Oven-bird” from the way it has of roofing over its nest, 
abundant in woodland, migratory. In May the woods resound with its loud crescendo chant, 
so incessant and obtrusive that the bird was long in acquiring the reputation of musical ability 
