OVEN-BIRD. GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH 



Early in May you may have the good fortune to see 

 this little bird of the woods strutting in and out of the 

 garden shrubbery with a certain mock dignity like a child 

 wearing its father's boots. Few birds can walk without 

 appearing more or less ridiculous, and however gracefully 

 and pretty it steps, this amusing wagtail is no exception. 



NELTJE BLANCHAN. Bird Neighbors. 23 



As an architect the oven-bird is distinguished. His 

 unique nest is built on the ground, of coarse grasses, weed- 

 stalks, leaves and rootlets, and is roofed over, the entrance 

 being at one side. It thus resembles an old-fashioned 

 Dutch oven, and its shape is the origin of its builders' 

 name. 



CHAPMAN. Bird Life. 22 



If there be such a thing as inspiration, I believe the 



oven-bird sings under its influence Flying up 



from the ground, how cautiously he hops from branch 

 to branch, and with crest slightly erect, walks carefully 

 along a limb, when, suddenly overcome by the music in 

 his soul, he throws fear to the winds and lifts up his voice 

 in a crescendo chant which vibrates through the woods. 

 Teacher, teacher, TEACHER, TEACHER, Mr. Burroughs 

 writes it, and the description is difficult to improve upon. 

 The bird fairly quivers with the violence of his effort. 



CHAPMAN. Handbook of Birds. 21 



He has a far rarer song which he reserves for some nymph 

 whom he meets in the air. Mounting by easy flights to 



102 



