OVEN BIRD. 
13 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of seventeen specimens.—Length, 6-00; stretch, 9-73; wing, 3-01; tail, 2-22; bill,’49; 
tarsus, -81. Longest specimen, 6-50; greatest stretch of wings, 10-40; greatest length of wing, .3-35; of tail, 3-10; 
of bill, -55; of tarsus, -90. Shortest specimen, 5-40; smallest stretch of wings, 9-45; smallest length of wing, 2-25; 
of tail, 2-00; of bill, -45; of tarsus, -70. 
DESCRIPTION OE NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nest, composed outwardly of dried leaves and grasses, compactly interwoven, and lined with finer grasses. This 
material is usually arranged so as to form a hollow cylinder, with a hole for entrance at the side. Dimensions.— 
External diameter, 5 inches; internal, 3 inches. 
Eggs, four or five in number, pure white, spotted and blotched throughout, but generally more thickly on the 
larger end, with pale brown, lilac and umber. Eorm, rather round. Dimensions, from -75x-50 to -80x-64. 
HABITS. 
Upon visiting Florida for the first time, one is surprised to hear the term "hummock” 
applied to certain pieces of woodland, which appear fiat, and indeed, where in many cases the 
ground is somewhat lower than the surrounding surface. This, to a northerner, to whom a 
hjLimmock means a small hill, seems a misnomer. After a time, however, the traveller becomes 
accustomed to it, and, if he is ornithologically inclined, will learn to look upon the mass of 
vegetation which it represents with great interest, for in them he will find many valuable 
specimens. 
These hummocks are usually found along the streams or other bodies of water; and as the 
trees, of which they are composed, grow thickly even on the edge, they appear like islands 
rising abruptly from the surrounding scrub, piny woods or saVanuas. They vary in size from 
a few square rods to miles in extent. Upon entering them, one generally passes first through a 
thicket of tangled briers and shrubs, which commonly grow among the trees on the margins of 
all hummocks. Once through this and the collector finds himself in a dense wood, nearly free 
from underbrush. He will pause here, if unaccustomed to such scenes, for everything appears 
somewhat strange. Beside him stands a huge live oak with its immense trunk thickly covered 
with parasitical ferns and orchids, of a delicate green, while-upon the branches maybe seen 
large air plants, the drooping leaves of which are surrounded by long streamers of Spanish moss 
that partly conceal them. Near by, a straight, smooth-barked magnolia raises its head; while 
the sweet gum, bay, black walnut and other trees stand so thickly around that their tops are 
crowded together. The air is perfumed with the peculiar odor of the leaves of the prickly ash: 
and, although it is midwinter, the green fronds of the filices , which grow under foot, together 
with the yellow flowers of the climbing jessamine, that are seen on either hand, give one to 
understand that he is in a semi-tropical clime. 
Passing onward through this wonderful scene farther into the forest, he sees a deer suddenly 
start up from a bunch of saw palmetto, which is near, and bound quickly away. Then perhaps 
the startled pedestrian catches a glimpse of the yellow eye and tawny hide of a wild cat, as 
witlf a loud snarl it rushes away to hide itself in the deeper woods; or the low, ominous cry 
of the puma is heard, as he circles around the intruder, as if endeavoring to ascertain who 
dares disturb his peace, but ever careful to keep at a respectful distance. All these sights and 
sounds remind one that he is in a locality which is seldom disturbed by man. 
Few bird notes are heard in this shadowy wilderness, for the songsters are generally silent 
at this season; therefore, the collector is obliged to use his eyes attentively. While so doing 
he will perceive a small bird making its way quietly about on the ground. Upon closer 
examination he will be surprised to find that it is the Golden-crowned Thrush, seemingly as 
much at home as when in the groves of the' North. They are quite numerous in Florida during 
the winter, and are not to be found in pairs while here, but live singly, are very shy and 
