Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 12-Sept. 20. Ossining, rare S.R., May 2-Sept. 14. Cambridge, locally common S.R., May 8-Sept. 15. N. Ohio, rare, Apl. 29, May 9, and 14.
Scrubby second growths, hillsides with scattered cedars and barberries, and, sometimes, bushy places in the pines are the haunts of the miscalled Prairie Warbler. Common and generally distributed in the South, it is local in the North and not always found in districts which seem to supply all its wants. Its song is composed of six or seven minute zees, the next to the last one usually the highest. The nest is generally built within 4 feet of the ground, the eggs, laid in May, are white marked with shades of brown, often wreathed about the larger end.
OVEN-BIRD
Seiurus aurocapillus. [Case 6], Fig. 64
An olive brownish bird, white streaked with black below, with an orange, black-bordered crown and no white on wings or in tail. L. 6¼.
Range. Nests from Georgia and Missouri to Canada; winters from Florida southward.
Washington, very common S.R., Apl. 10-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.
The Oven-bird, and its near relatives the Water-Thrushes, bear so little resemblance in color and habits to the true Wood Warblers, that one might well think they were members of another family. Their plumage lacks the bright colors, white wing-bars and tail-patches possessed by most Warblers, and, instead of hopping and flitting from twig to twig, they spend their time chiefly walking on the ground, where they find their food.
It is not so much its abundance as its song which makes the Oven-bird well known. Years ago Mr. Burroughs wrote it, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, teacher, and no one has improved on this description. The Oven-bird also sings an ecstatic warbling on the wing; a thrilling performance. The nest is built on the ground and, like a Dutch oven, is roofed over with the entrance at one side. The eggs, laid in May, are white, marked chiefly at the larger end with brown.
NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH
Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis. Case. 8, Fig. 56
Underparts white tinged with pale yellow, everywhere—including throat—streaked with black; no white in tail or wings. L. 6.