20 C. H. Merriain — liirds of Connecticut. 



begin to construct their nests, wliicli are commonly placed in a fork 

 of the topmost limb of a pine tree."* 



47. Siurus auricapillus (Linne) Swainson. Golden-crowned Thrush; 



" Oven Bird." 



A common summer resident, arriving early in May (May 3), and 

 remaining till the latter part of September, Breeds abundantly. Its 

 characteristic loud, but not particularly pleasing, note frequently 

 annoys one while listening for the softer tones of some of the rarer 

 warblers. 



48. Siurus naevius (Boddaert) Coues.f (Novehoracensis of Authors.) Water- 



Wagtail; Water Thrush. 



Rather common during migrations. Possibly a few occasionally 

 remain and breed. Arrives early in May. Have taken it in spring 

 from May 5th to 2'7th ; and in fall from Sept. 28th to Oct. 18th. Mr. 

 Gentry, in his late work on the " Birds of Eastern Pennsylvania," says 

 that it " cannot be considered either abiindant or rare." The same 

 remark applies here in s])ring, when they frequent their fiivorite haunts 

 near some small stream or swampy jdace in woodland. In the fall, 

 however, they sometimes congregate in rather large tlocks and may 

 then be seen on hill-sides away from water. 



49. Siurus motacilla (Vlelllot) Coues. (Ludovidanus of Authors.) Large- 



billed Water Thrush. 



Not rare in southern Connecticiit, where it breeds regularly, and 

 probably in considerable numbers. Ai-rives earlier than eitlier of the 

 other species. I shot a fine male on the 2'7th of A])ril, 1877. That 

 they also breed very early is shown by the fact that a fennile, con- 

 taining an egg ready for the nest, was shot by my friend, Mr. Dayan, 

 on the 17th of May, 1876; and j\Ir. J. N. Clark, of Saybrook, Conn., 

 tells me that the young are generally hatched before May 25th. The 

 fact of its breeding regularly in southern New England has now 

 become so well established that it would be superfluous to cite the 

 numerous published records of its capture. 



In habits it seems to agree with IS. ricavhis — at least in its fondness 

 for shaded streams. Its note is peculiarly loud and clear, and does 



* The Birds of Florida. By. C. J. Maynard. Part IT, p. 49. Salem, 187.S. 

 \ For Uie nomenclature of this genus, see Couos, in HullcMii of the Nuttall Omitli. 

 Club, vol. ii, No. 2. April, 1877. 



