142 WAKE-ROBIN 



while as busy as a bee, catching some kind of in- 

 sects. It is certainly one of our most beautiful bird- 

 songs, and Audubon's enthusiasm concerning its 

 song, as he heard it in the wilds of Labrador, is 

 not a bit extravagant. The song of the kinglet 

 is the only characteristic that allies it to the wrens. 



The Capitol grounds, with their fine large trees 

 of many varieties, draw many kinds of birds. In 

 the rear of the building the extensive grounds are 

 peculiarly attractive, being a gentle slope, warm and 

 protected, and quite thickly wooded. Here in early 

 spring I go to hear the robins, catbirds, blackbirds, 

 wrens, etc. In March the white-throated and white- 

 crowned sparrows may be seen, hopping about on 

 the flower-beds or peering slyly from the evergreens. 

 The robin hops about freely upon the gi-ass, not- 

 withstanding the keeper's large-lettered warning, 

 and at intervals, and especially at sunset, carols from 

 the treetops his loud, hearty strain. 



The kingbird and orchard starling remain the 

 whole season, and breed in the treetops. The rich, 

 copious song of the starling may be heard there all 

 the forenoon. The song of some birds is like scar- 

 let, — strong, intense, emphatic. This is the char- 

 acter of the orchard starlings, also of the tanagers 

 and the various grosbeaks. On the other hand, the 

 songs of other birds, as of certain of the thrushes, 

 suggest the serene blue of the uj^per sky. 



In February one may hear, in the Smithsonian 

 grounds, the song of the fox sparrow. It is a 

 strong, richly modulated whistle, — the finest spar- 

 row note I have ever heard. 



