end, and sometimes are confluent, or form a wreath. Occasionally an egg is spotted regularly from 

 point to base. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 



The nest is sufficiently characteristic in style of architecture and dimensions to make indemnification 

 easy and certain. The eggs are less readily known. See table. 



REMARKS : 



Plate LXV represents a nest and three eggs of the Golden-crowned Thrush. The former was built 

 in May, 1885 ; the latter were taken from three sets found during the past ten years. The nest is 

 typical in size, shape, and materials of construction, and the eggs are of the ordinary size, shape, and 

 markings, the one at the left being perhaps the most typical. 



Any visitor to the woods during the months of May and June, must be startled by the shrill te cha, 

 te cha, te cAa, of the Golden-crowned Thrush, at first uttered so low as to sound at a distance in the bush, 

 and then becoming louder and louder with each utterance, and also more rapid, until it becomes so loud 

 that it is painful to the ear, when suddenly, having reached its climax, it ceases. While wondering how 

 vocal chords so small as a bird's, for the notes are evidently from a bird, can make such a volume of 

 sound, it again begins, soft, slow, and low, and terminates as before. The author of these notes is difficult 

 to discover, but a little quiet search may perhaps reveal a spotted-breasted little bird perched on some 

 low limb or stepping about upon the ground. He is a home body, seldom going far from his mate, to 

 whom he repeats his cheering song at intervals. The nest of every Ovenbird in the woods may be located 

 within a few yards by observing the singing male, but they are very difficult to actually find on account 

 of their situation and protective covering. Dilligent search about every log, and at the foot of every 

 sapling and bush is the surest and quickest way to discover them. 



The Golden-crowned Thrush spends most of its time on the ground, searching for food among the 

 decayed leaves. It walks about and scratches in the soft loam like a chicken, instead of hopping like 

 others of its family. It is very attentive to its young, caring for them long after they can fly. 



284 



