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 novebor&eensis noveboracensis ( Gmel .). 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., 6'04; W., 2°99; T., 2T1; 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, 
