TOPOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT. 2'6 



also among" the old pines are found the Pine Creeping Warbler (Den- 

 drccca pinns). 



Above Benning's Bridge, on the east side, the hills beeome broken, 

 and from that point to Bladensbnrg we have a' rolling, varied country, 

 presenting the variety of cultivated fields, wooded hill-sides, interesting- 

 streams, copses, small marshes, etc. 



On Beaver Dam Creek, about three fourths of a mile east of McCor- 

 mick's, is a wet meadow — a favorite feeding-ground of Wilson's Snipe in 

 the spring — while adjacent is a dense marshy thicket, affording refuge 

 and food for many Woodcock. 



Beaver Dam Creek is named from the fact that a be&ver dam for- 

 merly existed along its course, and its remains may still be seen. This 

 region is also of interest to the anthropologist on account of the many 

 relics of the aboriginal tribes found in the vicinity. 



The western bank of the Anacostia River is of less interest than the 

 eastern. From its mouth to the District almshouse,. a distance of two 

 miles, it is within the city limits, and more or less thickly built up. 

 The city almshouse is immediately on the bank of the Anacostia River, 

 just at the beginning of the zizania marshes, and adjoining it on the 

 south is the Congressional Cemetery. Isorth of the almshouse is May- 

 hew's Meadow, already mentioned as a- favorite feeding-ground of Wil- 

 son's Snipe. From this point to the District line, near Bladensbnrg, the 

 character of the country is varied between hillside and meadow and 

 cultivated fields, and presents nothing of special interest. 



3. BOCK CREEK REGION. 



The Rock Creek region embraces the valley of Rock Creek from the 

 point of its confluence with the Potomac River to the District line, a 

 distance of five miles. Rock Creek is a small stream having a direc- 

 tion from north to south. It has a rapid current, and contains suffi- 

 cient water to furnish good water-power to mills even at the driest 

 season ; while it is subject to sudden rises during storms, when it be- 

 comes a turbulent torrent. The stream has cut its way through the rocky 

 hills which surround Washington on the north, producing many locali- 

 ties of picturesque scenery. In fact, the natural beauty of the scenery 

 for the entire length of the creek, from the city limit to the District line, 

 is seldom surpassed, and the selection of this region for a public park 

 would be a most appropriate one, and we heartily join in the recom- 

 mendation of Professor Ward to that end.* 



* In the Guide to the Flora of Washington and its Vicinity, Bulletin No. 22, 1881, 

 U. S. National Museum, Professor Ward says : " The character of the surface along 

 Rock Creek is most beautiful and picturesque, often rocky and hilly, with frequent 

 deep ravines coming down into the usually narrow bottom through which it flows, 

 f he stream itself is full of most charmiug curves, and the whole region is an idea), 



