WOOD WARBLERS 461 



zones from sw. Mackenzie (casually the lower Yukon Valley), to N. F. s. 

 to cen. Alberta, Colo., Kans., s. Mo., Ohio Valley, Va., in mts. to Ga. and S. 

 C., and e. to the Atlantic coast from N. S. to Va.; winters from cen. Fla. 

 (casually S. C.) and islands on the La. coast through the Bahamas 

 to Colombia. 



Washington, very common S. R., Apl. 10 to Oct. 17. Ossining, common 

 S. R., Apl. 27-Oct. 10. Cambridge, very common S. R., May 6-Sept. 15. 

 N. Ohio, abundant S. R., Apl. 22-Oct. 1. Glen Ellyn, not common S. R., 

 common T. V., Apl. 28-Sept. 30. SE. Minn., common S. R., Apl. 27- 

 Sept. 22. 



Nest, bulky, covered, the entrance at one side, of coarse grasses, weed 

 stalks, leaves, and rootlets, on the ground. Eggs, 4-5, white, speckled or 

 spotted with cinnamon- or rufous-brown markings, sometimes finely dis- 

 tributed, sometimes confluent about the larger end, "80 x '60. Date, Weaver- 

 ville, N. C., May 7; Chester Co., Pa., May 22; Cambridge, May 25; se. 

 Minn., May 19. 



During the nesting season Oven-birds are among our commonest 

 woodland birds. We hear them everywhere; one singer scarcely ceases 

 before another begins. But when the song period has passed how com- 

 paratively rare they become! The reason is not hard to find. At most 

 times the Oven-bird is somewhat of a recluse. He passes much of his 

 time on or near the ground, generally where the woods are more or 

 less undergrown. Only the practised ear will detect his sharp, weak 

 cheep. 



If there be such a thing as inspiration, I believe the Oven-bird sings 

 under its influence. Not that his usual song is in the least remarkable, 

 but because the bird is so obviously moved by a spirit which demands 

 utterance. Watch him now as he is about to sing. 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 over- 

 come 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, TEACHER, Mr. Burroughs 

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



The bird fairly quivers with the violence of his effort. The result 

 seems inadequate; we feel that he is striving for something better, 

 and, in truth, as Mr. Bicknell says, he sometimes breaks the bonds 

 that ordinarily beset his expression, and "bursts forth with a wild out- 

 pouring of intricate and melodious song," the very force of which 

 carries him up into the air among the tree tops. 



1911. STANWOOD, C. J., Journ. Me. Orn. Soc., XIII, 18-20 (nesting). 



675. Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis (GmcL). WATER- 

 THRUSH. Ads. Upperparts, wings, and tail uniform olive; no wing-bars or 

 tail-patches; a buffy line over the eye; underparts white, tinged with pale 

 sulphur-yellow, (richer in fall) and everywhere including throat streaked 

 with black. L M 6'04; W., 2'99; T., 2'11; B. from N., '36. 



Range. E. N. Am. Breeds chiefly in Canadian zone from n. Ont., n. 

 Ungava, and N. F. s. to cen. Ont., nw. N. Y., and n. New England (casually 

 s. New England), and in mts. s. to W. Va.; winters from the Valley of Mex- 

 ico to British Guiana, and throughout West Indies. 



Washington, common T. V., Apl. 22-June 2; July 21-Oct. 6. Ossining, 



