l4 INTRODUCTION 



Transient feathered visitors also brighten the winter 

 days. Once I had the dehghtful surprise of discover- 

 ing a flock of northern Pine Finches filhng a sapHng 

 at the corner of i6th and U Streets, and showing their 

 yellow wing marks as if to prove their identity. 

 During the midwinter snows Horned Larks, Tree 

 Sparrows, and Purple Finches come into the city 

 from their suburban weed patches, and the Larks are 

 sometimes seen walking soberly along Pennsylvania 

 Avenue, as well as on the quieter streets. 



Towards spring one's calendar has many red letters. 

 As I look back, one of the brightest is the day when 

 from a tree opposite the Treasury the first spring 

 carol of the Robin arrested my steps and magically 

 transformed the noisy city streets into quiet country- 

 side, as a sudden burst of sunshine illuminates a dull 

 landscape. Bound with this memory is the first sight 

 of the jolly Crow Blackbirds on the Agricultural 

 grounds taking constitutionals among the dandelions 

 to the delight of all beholders. Then come the even- 

 ings when from the sidewalk one hears the faint sweet 

 chirpings of homeward bound travellers passing over- 

 head, evenings followed by days when Golden Warb- 

 lers awaken one with their summery song, little 

 visitors drop into the city parks, the leafing trees 

 ring with the happy songs of bands of Goldfinches, 

 and the woods and fields are filled with new joyful 

 life to attract one to the country. 



\\\ going outside of the city to look for birds Wash- 

 ingtonians are peculiarly favored, for the suburban 

 car lines carry them out so quickly that even the few 

 free hours of a busy day may be used to great ad- 

 vantage. One of the most accessible places is also 



