THE OVEN-BIRD. 219 



ings are usually thickest at the larger end of the egg, where 

 they are often confluent, and cover the primary color. 

 Dimensions of four specimens collected in a nest in West 

 Roxbury, Mass. : .80 by .64 inch, .79 by .64 inch, .79 by 

 .62 inch, .78 by .62 inch. A great number of specimens, 

 collected in different localities of New England, show no 

 great variations from these measurements. 



The habits of this bird are so well known that an ex- 

 tended description here is scarcely needed. It is seldom 

 found in any but the most retired and thickly wooded local- 

 ities, and it generally prefers the neighborhood of a swamp 

 for its home. Its song is a peculiar one, and easily recog- 

 nized : it consists of the repeated utterance of the syllables, 

 quicha, quicha, quicha, quicha, quieha, begun at first very 

 low, and rapidly increasing in volume. I have heard this 

 song, in the mating and incubating seasons, at all hours of 

 the night : the bird seems, at that time, to ascend into the 

 air to a considerable height, and utters its notes while hover- 

 ing and slowly descending. I have noticed the same habit 

 in the Maryland Yellow-throat and some other birds ; and 

 suppose that it is owing to, and to show, his great affection 

 for his mate, and to anxiety for the success of her labors. 



When on the ground, the Oven-bird runs with great 

 rapidity, frequently jetting its tail and uttering its sharp 

 alarm-note : if the nest is approached, the male throws 

 himself in the way of the intruder, and endeavors to draw 

 him from its vicinity, scolding all the time with the greatest 

 vehemence. If the female is driven from her domicile, she 

 suddenly flutters along the ground, her wings extended, 

 counterfeiting lameness in a very natural and generally 

 effective manner. 



This species, in consequence of its eminently terrestrial 

 habits, often falls a victim to snakes and skunks. I have 

 repeatedly found nests, and left them, in order that I might 

 acquaint myself with the breeding peculiarities of the bird ; 

 and in a day or two, on paying it a second visit, found 



