164 SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. 



tree-tops, all pouring forth their gladness at odoB; 

 and filling the air with a multitudinous musica* 

 clamor. 



They continue to pass, traveling by night, and 

 feeding by day, till after the middle of May, when 

 they cease. In September, with numbers greatly in- 

 creased, they are on their way back I am first ad- 

 vised of their return by hearing cheir calls at night 

 as they fly over the city. On certain nights the 

 sound becomes quite noticeable. I have awakened 

 in the middle of the night, and, through the open 

 window, as I lay in bed, heard their faint notes. The 

 warblers begin to return about' the same time, and 

 are clearly distinguished by their timid yeaps. On 

 dark cloudy nights the birds seem confused by the 

 lights of the city, and apparently wander about 

 above it. 



In the spring the same curious incident is repeated, 

 though but few voices can be identified. I make out 

 the snow-bird, the bobolink, the warblers, and on two 

 nights during the early part of May I heard very 

 clearly the call of the sandpipers. 



Instead of the bobolink, one encounters hero, in 

 the June meadows, the black-throated bunting, a bird 

 closely related to the sparrows, and a very persistent, 

 if not a very musical songster. He j)erchos upon the 

 fences and upon the trees by the roadside, and, 

 spreading his tail, gives forth his harsh strain, which 

 may be roughly worded thus : fscp fscp.fee fee fee. 

 Like all sounds associated with early summei, it sooa 



