in the top of low bushes so that it
is well concealed by the upper foliage. Their three to five eggs are
whitish, specked and spotted with shades of brown and neutral tints;
size .64 x .48. Data.--Worcester, Mass., June 23, 1891. Nest in the top
of a young walnut, two feet from ground; made of plant fibres and
grasses. Four eggs.

674. OVEN-BIRD. _Seiurus aurocapillus._

Range.--North America east of the Rockies, breeding from the middle
portions of the United States, north to Labrador and Alaska. Winters
from the Gulf States southward.

This species is fully as often known as the Golden-crowned Thrush,
because of its brownish orange crown bordered with black. They are
woodland birds exclusively and nest on the ground, arching the top over
with rootlets or leaves, the nest proper being made of grasses and leaf
skeletons. As they are concealed so effectually, the nests are usually
found by flushing the bird. The four to six eggs are white, slightly
glossy and spotted, blotched or wreathed with reddish brown and lilac;
size .80 x .60. Data.--Old Saybrook, Conn., June 19, 1899. Domed nest
with a side entrance on the ground in woods.

[Illustration 409: Whitish.]
[Illustration: Prairie Warblers. Oven-bird.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: deco.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 408

[Illustration 410: C. A. Reed.
ARCHED NEST OF OVEN-BIRD.]

[Illustration: J. B. Canfield.
NEST AND EGGS OF LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH.]

Page 409

675. WATER-THRUSH. _Seiurus novebora censis noveboracensis._

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States
north to Hudson Bay and Newfoundland. Winters from the Gulf to South
America.

This species is uniform brownish olive above and white below, streaked
heavily with blackish; it has a whitish superciliary line. It is known
in most of the United States only as a migrant, being found in moist
woods or swampy places. They nest in such localities in their breeding
range, placing their nests among the cavities of rootlets and stumps,
the nest being made of moss, leaves and rootlets. Their eggs are white,
profusely specked and blotched with reddish brown and lavender gray.
Size .80 x .60. Data.--Listowell, Ontario, May 28, 1895. Nest in a
turned-up root over water; made of moss, grass and hair. Collector, Wm.
L. Kells. This set of five is in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.

675a. GRINNELL'S WATER-THRUSH. _Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis._