Part 33

These are very locally distributed birds and will often be found breeding abundantly in a small patch of brush-covered pasture, while many others apparently just as well suited for their purposes will be shunned by them. They are very active, flitting rapidly from one bush to another, the male occasionally mounting to a bush top to hurriedly deliver his song, then diving out of sight below the foliage.

Song.—An energetic, rather harsh “zee-zee-zee-ee” on an ascending scale.

Nest.—A neat cup of grasses and vegetable fibres, lined with black rootlets or horsehair; located in low shrubs or bushes from one to two feet above ground; eggs whitish with blackish-brown specks about the large end (.65 × .48).

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf to Massachusetts and southern Michigan; winters in the West Indies.

OVEN-BIRD 674. Seiurus aurocapillus. 6 inches

Crown orange brown bordered by black; no white in wings or tail.

This bird is found in open woods, where it builds its arched nest on the ground among the leaves or pine needles. It is the peculiar oven-like construction of their nests that gives them their name. They are essentially ground birds, only mounting to the lower branches of trees to sing or when scolding an intruder.

Song.—A peculiar ascending song resembling the word teacher, repeated five or six times and gathering strength and volume with each syllable; call, a sharp chip.

Nest.—Of leaves, strips of bark and grass arched over the top so as to leave a very small opening; placed on the ground in woods; four to six white eggs spotted with reddish brown (.78 × .58).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding in the northern half of the U. S. and north to Labrador; winters chiefly south of U. S.

WATER-THRUSH 675. Seiurus noveboracensis. 6 inches

This species always has a yellowish tinge to the underparts and the stripes beneath are narrow, but prominent. These Warblers are found in tangled underbrush near water. They have a habit of continually flirting their tails, thus giving them the local name of Water-Wagtail. Their call is a sharp metallic “chink”; their song a loud, liquid “quit-quit-quit-que-quewe-u.” Breeds from the northern edge of the U. S. northward; winters south of U. S.

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH 676. Seiurus motacilla. 6¼ inches

Larger, grayer above and whiter below than the preceding; stripes fewer and broader. This is a more southern species and breeds from the Gulf to Connecticut and southern Minnesota. Its notes are wild and ringing, like those of the last. They build their nests under the roots of trees or under the edges of overhanging banks. The eggs are creamy white, boldly blotched with brown.

KENTUCKY WARBLER 677. Oporornis formosa. 5½ inches

Crown and ear coverts black, underparts and line over eye yellow; no white in the plumage.

These birds are found in about such localities as are frequented by Oven-birds, but with a preference for woods which are low and damp. They are locally common in some of the southern and central states. They are active gleaners of the underbrush, keeping well within the depths of tangled thickets. Like the Maryland Yellow-throat, which has similar habits to those of this bird, they are quite inquisitive and frequently come close to you to investigate or to scold.

Song.—A loud, musical, Wren-like warble.

Nest.—A bulky structure of leaves, bark and grasses, lined with black rootlets or horsehair; placed on the ground in bunches of weeds or at the foot of a small bush; the four or five eggs are quite heavily speckled, chiefly at the large end, with reddish brown.

Range.—Eastern U. S., breeding from the Gulf north to New York and southern Michigan; winters in northern South America.

CONNECTICUT WARBLER 678. Oporornis agilis. 5½ inches

Male with a bluish slate-colored head; eye ring white and completely encircling the eye; female with a saffron-colored head.

In the United States we find this Warbler only in spring and fall migrations. They appear to be much more rare in the spring than in the fall; while I have seen perhaps a hundred in the fall I have never seen but one in spring. They frequent wild tangled thickets, such as you often find Maryland Yellow-throats in. As they do most of their feeding upon the ground and remain in the depths of the thickets, they are rarely seen unless attention is drawn to them.

Song.—Somewhat like that of the Maryland Yellow-throat; call, a sharp, metallic “peenk.”

Nest.—In thickets or clumps of briars, either on the ground or just above it; made of strips of bark and skeletons of leaves lined with hair; eggs whitish sparingly specked at the large end with brown (.75 × .56).

Range.—Eastern N. A., breeding north of the U. S.; winters in northern South America.

MOURNING WARBLER 679. Oporornis Philadelphia. 5½ inches

Similar to the last, but with no eye ring and with a black patch on the breast.