RAMBLES ABOUT GEORGETOWN 217 



row I know. The bird continued to sing for a long 

 time and at frequent intervals, not even stopping when 

 the engine near at hand blew off steam, although he 

 turned his head and looked a little startled." I saw 

 this species nowhere else in my Colorado rambles, and 

 can find no description in the systematic manuals that 

 helps to clear up the mystery, and so an avis incognita 

 he must remain for the present. 



Has mention been made of a few house-finches that 

 were seen in Georgetown ? Only a few, however, for 

 they prefer the towns arid cities of the plain. Several 

 house-wrens were also seen in the vicinity of the George- 

 town Loop as well as elsewhere in the valley. The 

 " Loop," although a monumental work of human genius 

 and daring, has its peculiar attractions for the student 

 of natural history, for in the canon itself, which is 

 somewhat open and not without bushy haunts, and on 

 the precipitous mountain sides, a few birds set up their 

 Lares and Penates, and mingle their songs of domestic 

 felicity with the roar of the torrent and the passing 

 trains. Darting like zigzag lightning about the cliffs, 

 the broad-tailed humming-bird cuts the air with his 

 sharp, defiant buzz, until you exclaim with the poet : 



" Is it a monster bee, 



Or is it a midget bird, 

 Or yet an air-born mystery 



That now yon marigold has stirred ? " 



