LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT. 13 



what rolling, and in many places are cultivated. Above the Chain Bridge 

 the hillside is wooded, while along the base, between the canal and the 

 hill, there are low, swampy places, grown over with small trees, briars, 

 and tangled undergrowth, in which Woodcock can always be found at 

 the right season. Between the Chain Bridge and the first lock of the 

 canal is a large stone quarry, worked in the face of the cliff, near the top 

 of which a colony of Bough-winged Swallows have their home. Along 

 those portions of the cliffs remaining wooded a few of the wood-birds 

 still may be seen, but the rapidly increasing population is driving them 

 out. 



The cliffs upon the Virginia shore are quite different from those just 

 considered, in being rugged, very precipitous, heavily wooded, and 

 abounding in tangled undergrowth. A number of beautiful miniature 

 glens exist, formed by spring branches and storm water, cutting their 

 way through the rocks to the river. The face of the cliff has a northern 

 exposure, and hence is more deeply shaded than the hills on the oppo- 

 site side. 



The locality is a favored one for breeding of the Worm-eating War- 

 bler (Helmintherus vermivorus), Oven Bird (Siurus auriccqnllus), Wood 

 Thrush ( Turdus mustelinus), and the Woodcock ( Philohela minor). Here 

 also may be found much more abundantly than for comfort the copper- 

 head snake (Ancistrodon contortrix), as many startled picnic parties can 

 testify. 



Coming back down the Potomac, the river continues narrow from the 

 foot of the Little Falls to Edes's Mill, where it widens out considerably 

 and continues to increase in width until the Aqueduct Bridge is reached, 

 where it is half a mile wide. 



This portion of the river, about four and a half miles long, although of 

 no special interest ornithologically, is remarkable for the large numbers 

 of fish which are captured in the spring of the year when they run up 

 the river to breed. Many fishermen make a living during the months 

 of May and June by catching shad (Alosa sapidissima) and herring 

 (Pomolobus vernalis, P. cvstivalis) with dip-nets in the deep, rapid cur- 

 rent, fishing from the rocks or standing in the stern of a boat fastened 

 to the shore. Great numbers of white perch (Morone americana) are 

 also taken by anglers, who line the shore during this season. 



The Potomac River widens out rapidly from Edes's Mill, one and a 

 half miles below the Little Falls, where it is 100 yards, to the Aqueduct 

 Bridge, where it is half a mile in width. This presents a beautiful sheet 

 of quiet water, so thoroughly utilized by the boat clubs and rowing 

 parties that few water-birds have opportunity to alight. 



Along the shores the only birds seen are an occasional Spotted Sand- 

 piper, King-fisher, or Swamp Sparrow. 



The Aqueduct Bridge (so called because of carrying the Alexandria 

 Canal across the Potomac at this point) crosses the river at the upper 

 end of Georgetown. At its southern extremity is the little village of 



