308 
SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — PASSEBES— OSCINES. 
species may always be known by the lack of any special sharp markings whatever, except the 
superciliary line ; and by the combination of white wing-bars with large oblique tail-spots 
confined to the two outer pairs of feathers. One of the largest species, as well as most simply 
colored; length 5.50-5.75 ; extent 8.50-9.00; wing 2.75-3.00; tail 2.40; tarsus 0.70; bill 
0. 45. Eastern U. S., strictly; N. only to Canada and New Brunswick, W. only to the Missis- 
sippi Valley. Breeds throughout its whole range, and abounds in winter in the Southern 
States ; is nearly resident, being sometimes seen in the Middle States in midwinter, and in 
New England early and late, with snow. Nests in pine-trees ; nest and eggs not peculiar. 
Thus passing in review the 23 solid" species of Dendrceca, with two varieties lately 
introduced, I may allude to two species described by early authors, but never identified. 
1. Sylvia montana, Wilson. This I have given (in the orig. ed., p. 105) some reasons for sup- 
posing to be a young D. virens. 2. Sylvia carbonata, Audubon. A strongly -marked bird, 
the like of which has never been seen since. It has been conjectured to be a hybrid of D. 
tigrina and D. striata. 
40. SIU'RUS. (Gr. o-ei'o), seio, I wave or brandish ; ovpa, oifra, tail.) Wag-tail Waeblers. In 
general form scarcely distinguishable from Dendroeca ; larger in size, different in pattern of 
coloration, in habits, gait, and nidification. BiU ordinary. Rictal bristles short but evident. 
Wings pointed, much longer than tail. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. Tail nearly 
even, with rather acute feathers, and long, copious under coverts. Neither wings nor tail parti- 
colored. Above olivaceous, with or without head -markings, otherwise uniform ; below white, 
buffy, or yellowish, profusely streaked. Legs slender, usually pale-colored. Habits terrestrial 
to some extent ; nest on the ground ; eggs white, spotted. Vocal powers preeminent. Gait 
arabulatorial, not saltatorial, and some other traits decidedly Motacilline. 
Analysis of Species. 
Crown orange-brown, with two black stripes ; no superciliary line auricapillus 135 
Crown like back ; a long superciliary line. 
Below, yellowish, heavily streaked; smaller ; bill not over 0.50 ncevius 136 
Below, whitish, lightly streaked ; larger; bill over 0.50 motacilla 138 
135. S. auricapillus. (Lat. aurum, gold ; capilliis, hair. Fig. 1G9.) Golden-crowned Wag- 
tail Warbler. Golden-crowned Accentor. Golden-crowned Thrush. Oven-bird. 
^ 9 , adult : Entire upper parts, including the wings and tail, uniform bright olive-green, 
without markings. Top of head with black lateral stripes, bounding a golden-brown or dull 
orange space. A white ring round eye ; no M^hite super- 
ciliary stripe. Under parts white, thickly spotted with 
dusky on the breast, the spots lengthening into streaks on 
the sides ; a narrow black maxillary line ; under wing- 
coverts tinged Mdth yellow. Legs flesh-colored. Length 
5.75-6.50, usually 6.00-6.25 ; extent 8.75-10.40, usually 
9.50-10.00 ; wing 2.90-3.25 ; tail about 2.50. Varies 
much in size, but is remarkably constant in coloration M'ith 
FIG. i69.-0ven-bird, nat. size. (Ad age, sex, and season; sexes indistinguishable, and young 
nat. del. E. C.) scarcely to be told from the adults. Fall specimens 
ordinarily quite as bright-colored as those of spring ; and the orange-brown crown-spot, though 
it may be less bright, is acquired by the young with their first full feathering. There are 
at first no crown -stripes, and the lower parts are buffy, indistinctly streaked; upper parts 
fulvous-brown; wings and tail as in the adult. N. Am., W. to Colorado, Dakota, and 
Alaska ; breeds throughout its N. Am. range ; winters from the southern border southward. A 
pretty and engaging species, called Oven-bird" from the way it has of roofing over its nest, 
abundant in woodland, migratory. In May the woods resound with its loud crescendo chant, 
so incessant and obtrusive that the bird was long in acquiring the reputation of musical ability 
