NATURAL HISTORY. 



LIST OF BIRDS ASCERTAINED TO INHABIT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WITH 

 THE TIMES OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF SUCH AS ARE NON-RESIDENTS, 

 AND BRIEF NOTICES OF HABITS, ETC. 



BY ELLIOTT COUES AND D. WEBSTER PRENTISS. 



From the central situation of the District of Columbia, with regard 

 to the northern and southern sections of the country, together with 

 the varied character of surface which it presents, it might be ex- 

 pected to possess a rich and interesting avi-fauna. Such has been 

 found to be the case. It seems to be on the natural dividing line be- 

 tween the true northern and southern faunas, it being impossible to 

 decide which takes precedence. Therefore, if we except a few pe- 

 culiarly favored regions, we are enabled to present a more extensive 

 list of species inhabiting the district than has been given for almost 

 any other locality in eastern North America. 



Though the number of birds which are resident throughout the 

 year and those wliich breed here is considerable, they are few in 

 comparison with those which pass through during their spring and 

 autumn migrations, and remain for a longer or shorter time each sea- 

 son. The number of species, indeed, is not greater, but the individu- 

 als of each are very numerous. It is on this account that for a month 

 or so during the spring and autumn — from about the 20th of April 

 to the 20th of May, and from the 1st of September to the middle of 

 October — the collector is so amply repaid for his pains, while at other 

 times ornithologizing, except for some particular birds, is hardly 

 worth the time and trouble. So numerous, indeed, are individuals of 

 most* of the migratory species that at the height of the season in 

 spring we have collected, in a walk before breakfast, from forty to 

 fifty specimens of various species of warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, 

 finches, &c. As an instance of the number of birds which pass 

 through the District on their way north to breed, compared with 

 those which remain with us during the summer, may be cited the 

 wood-warblers, or Dendroiae. Of the twelve or thirteen wood-warb- 

 lers found more or less abundantly in the spring and fall, only three 

 are known to breed here. The same might be allirmed of other birds, 

 as the thrushes, flycatchers, sandpipers, <fec. 



Though there is included in the list only those species which have 

 been positively detected, there are some of which specimens have 

 been obtained, and yet are not entitled to be considered as inhabitants 

 of the District. These may be divided into three classes : First, 

 those which visit us in severe winters, being driven south, out of 



