BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 395 



SEIIRUS AUROCAPILLITS (L.) (674.) 



OVEN-BIRD. 



For the relative numbers of its species generally, the Oven- 

 bird is very common throughout the State from the 1st of May 

 to the 20th of September, with occasional instances of in- 

 dividuals remaining until far into October. It is only found as 

 a general thing, in the most unfrequented places, near swamps, 

 although I have met them in autumn in dry, densely wooded 

 localites where it appeared very little disturbed by my pres- 

 ence, keeping about its search for insects among the fallen 

 leaves. However, its breeding habits confine it to the moist 

 vicinity of swamps in or near the forests. Why this bird is 

 dubbed with the unsentimental name "Oven-bird," is more 

 than I can understand, for if from the form of its nest, we 

 ought to have Oven-birds in several different genera of widely 

 different families. I am sure that the Golden-crowned Thrush 

 is far more appropriate, the colors, habits and form of the 

 bird being so beautifully recognized by the name. 



The first nests of the season are begun by both birds about 

 the 15th of May, others following into the first days of June, 

 It is made of grasses and dry leaves into a very compact mass, 

 with its entrance on the side, and so small as to render it a sur- 

 prise that the bird can enter it. It is lined with fine, soft 

 grasses and hairs of different kinds. They lay six creamy- 

 white eggs, irregularly spotted or blotched with several shades 

 of reddish-brown. As with so many other species, the larger 

 end of the egg has the markings thickest, running into con- 

 fluent patches in some instances. The song of the bird is easily 

 recognized by any one who has heard it, especially by its cres- 

 cendo, beginning at a low pitch and increasing to remarkable 

 fullness at its close. It is more nearly expressed by the formula 

 written, queecha, queecha, queecha, queecJia, queecha, increasing 

 in force and volume to the end. * Samuels says : ' '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 hovering 

 and slowly descending. I have noticed the same habit in the 

 Maryland Yellow-throat, and some other birds." I have never 

 had the pleasure of hearing either of these species under such 

 circumstances. 



*Birds of New England, p. 319. 



