OVEN-BIRD. 



674. Seiurus aurocapillus. 6 inches. 



Crown orange brown bordered by black; no white in 

 wings or tail. 



This bird is found in open woods where it builds its 

 arched nest on the ground among the leaves or pine 

 needles. It is the peculiar oven-like construction of 

 their nests that gives them their name. They are 

 essentially ground birds, only mounting to the lower 

 branches of trees to sing or when scolding an intruder. 



Song. A peculiar ascending song resembling the 

 word teacher, repeated five or six times and gathering 

 strength and volume with each syllable; call, a sharp 

 chip. 



Nest. Of leaves, strips of bark and grass arched 

 over the top so as to leave a very small opening; 

 placed on the ground in woods; four to six white eggs 

 spotted with reddish brown (.78x.58). 



Range. Eastern N. A., breeding in the northern 

 half of the U. S. and north to Labrador; winters chief- 

 ly south of U. S. 



