138 



LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



The eggs are affirmed by Dr. Brewer to re- 

 semble in size and appearance those of D. castanea, 

 but differ in the spots being more numerous, and 

 the blotches being "larger and more generally 

 distributed." They are rounded-oval in configu- 

 ration, with a bluish-white ground-color, which 

 possesses subdued tintings of a delicate purple- 

 shade diffused thereon; and the latter rendered 

 other than monotonous, by dark purplish-brown 

 dots and blotches, with a few pencillings of black 

 distributed over its surface. The average length 

 is .71 of an inch, and breadth 55. 



Seiurus aurocapillus, Swains. 



The Golden-crowned Thrush or Oven Bird as 

 this species is popularly known, appears in 

 unusually large numbers, between the ist and 

 1 2th of May, and restricts itself chiefly to low, 

 damp woods, being seldom, if ever discerned close 

 to human habitations. It is pre-eminently partial 

 to retirement, from which we infer a shy and 

 timid nature, which experience faithfully justifies. 



We have occasionally seen it upon wooded 

 hillsides as affirmed by Dr, Brewer; but generally 

 low, humid woods with dense underbrush, in close 

 proximity to water-courses, as described by Au- 

 dubon, accord more acurately with our experi- 

 ence. 



It is chiefly terrestrial; if arboreal, it is during 

 the early part of the season, anterior to mating, 

 It then seeks the tallest trees, the lowest bushes, 



