200 
reduced and veiled, the underparts yellow, brightest on breast, and the black lines on the 
face, side of breast, and flanks only indicated. ; 
Distinctions. The fine black, facial marks against bright yellow, their sharp con- 
tinuation along flanks, and the reddish back spots are the best distinguishing features of 
adults. In juveniles the underparts brightest on breast rather than throat or elsewhere and 
the indications of stripes on the sides instead of in the middle of breast make the easiest 
recognition characters. 
Field Marks. Too rare in Canada to be recorded by sight unless the observer has had 
considerable experience. 
Nesting. In briery bushes, in nest of plant fibres and plant down lined with rootlets 
and long hairs. 
Distribution. Eastern United States, north rarely, though perhaps locally regular 
across the Canadian border in the lower Great Lakes region. 
The Prairie Warbler prefers dry, sandy, or open second growth wastes. 
From the data on its occurrence in Canada it should be looked for nesting 
in the neighbourhood of the lower end of lake Huron. 
GENUS—SEIURUS. WaGTAIL WARBLERS. L, 6-04—6-17. 
Birds of the genus Seiurus look more like Thrushes than Warblers as is 
indicated by the popular names of Golden-crowned and Water Thrushes 
that are sometimes given them. They are, however, true warblers of 
woodland habits; ground birds, walking instead of hopping; of large size 
for warblers; brown or dark olive coloration above, white below with the 
breast heavily streaked. They can be mistaken for thrushes either in life 
or in the hand but by attention to specific characters they can be easily 
distinguished. : 
674. Ovenbird. GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. FR.—LA GRIVE COURONNEE. Seiurus 
aurocapillus. L,6-:17. Plate XLIII A. 
Distinctions. The partly concealed dull golden erown patch bordered with brown will 
always determine this species. 
Field Marks. Though very thrush-like, there is generally little probability of actual 
confusion between this species and the thrushes. Its pure white throat, foreneck, and 
underparts with little or no suffusion of other colour and the sharply contrasting stripes 
rather than spots of the breast are easily distinctive. 
Nesting. On ground, in a bulky structure of coarse grasses, weed stalks, leaves, and 
rootlets; covered over with leaves and with the entrance at the side, like an oven, from 
whence the specific name is derived. 
Distribution. Wooded sections of North America east of the Rockies, north to beyond 
settlements; breeds in Canada wherever found. 
It is a woodland bird, usually common wherever open timber is 
interspersed in the heavier woods. Its common song Teacher—teacher 
teacher—teacher, beginning low and ending very loud is a familiar woodland 
sound and once heard will be remembered. 
675. Northern Water-thrush. WATER-THRUSH. FR.—LA GRIVE DES RUISSEAUX. 
Seiurus noveboracensis. L, 6-04. Dark olive brown above, yellowish white finely and 
sharply streaked with dark below, disconnected lines on throat, breast, and flanks. A 
buffy blended line over the eye and a fine, sharp, dark one through it. 
Distinctions. Easily distinguished from the Oven-bird by the finer, more evenly 
distributed striping, darker coloration, yellowish underparts, and the lack of crown 
patch. From the Louisiana Water-thrush it may be told by the buffy instead of white 
line over the eye, the yellowish instead of buffy or creamy underparts, and the presence 
of spots on the throat. 
Field Marks. The Water-thrushes can be told in life by their habitual upward jerking 
of the tail as they walk or stand, much similar to the actions of the common Spotte 
Sandpiper. The two Water-thrushes can be told apart by the difference in the cclour 
details given above. 
