436 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



higher Adirondacks, and throughout the State it is one of the most familiar 

 members of the family. Its cheery note is heard throughout the summer 

 months at least to the third or fourth week in July, and later on from the 

 ioth of August to the middle of September. 



The Ovenbird is a ground warbler, seeking almost all its food among 

 the dead leaves and growing plants of the forest floor, but frequently flying 



Ovenbird's nest and eggs 



Photo by Ralph S. Paddock 



up to the larger and lower branches of the trees. Like the Water thrush, 

 it is a walker, searching about with springy tread for worms, spiders and 

 various kinds of insects. Its nest is placed upon the ground, usually at 

 the foot of a small sapling or on the side of a slight rise, of the ground. 

 It is almost always arched over by the brown leaves of last season and 

 so completely concealed from view that it can rarely be discovered unless 



