SPRING AT THE CAPITAL 151 



prototype. Its color above is a light gray-blue, 

 gradually fading till it becomes white on the breas^i 

 and belly. It is a very small bird, and has a long, 

 facile, slender tail. Its song is a lisping, chatter- 

 ing, incoherent warble, now faintly reminding one 

 of the goldfinch, now of a miniature catbird, then 

 of a tiny yellow-hammer, having much variety, but 

 no unity and little cadence. 



Another bird which has interested me here is the 

 Louisiana water- thrush, called also large-billed water- 

 thrush, and water-wagtail. It is one of a trio of 

 birds which has confused the ornithologists much. 

 The other two species are the well-known golden- 

 crowned thrush or wood-wagtail, and the northern, 

 or small, water-thrush. 



The present species, though not abundant, is fre- 

 quently met with along Kock Creek. It is a very 

 quick, vivacious bird, and belongs to the class of 

 ecstatic singers. I have seen a pair of these thrushes, 

 on a bright May day, flying to and fro between two 

 spring runs, alighting at intermediate points, the 

 male breaking out into one of the most exuberant, 

 unpremeditated strains I ever heard. Its song is 

 a sudden burst, beginning with three or four clear 

 round notes much resembling certain tones of the 

 clarionet, and terminating in a rapid, intricate warble. 



This bird resembles a thrush only in its color, 

 which is olive-brown above and grayish white be- 

 neath, with speckled throat and breast. Its habits, 

 manners, and voice suggest those of the lark. 



I seldom go the Rock Creek route without being 



