186 SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. 



ble ; a strain, on the whole, remarkably 

 exquisite and pleasing, the singer being all 

 the while as busy as a bee, catching some 

 kind of insects. If the ruby-crowned sings 

 as well (and no doubt it does), Audubon's 

 enthusiasm concerning its song, as he heard 

 it in the wilds of Labrador, is not a bit ex- 

 travagant. The song of the kinglet is the 

 only characteristic that allies it to the wrens. 



The Capitol grounds, with their fine large 

 trees of many varieties, draw many kinds of 

 birds. In the rear of the building, the ex- 

 tensive grounds are peculiarly attractive, 

 being a gentle slope, warm and protected, 

 and quite thickly wooded. Here in early 

 spring I go to hear the robins, cat-birds, 

 blackbirds, wrens, etc. In March the white- 

 throated and white-crowned sparrows may 

 be seen, hopping about on the flower-beds, 

 or peering slyly from the evergreens. The 

 robin hops about freely upon the grass, 

 notwithstanding the keeper's large-lettered 

 warning, and at intervals, and especially at 

 sunset, carols from the tree-tops his loud, 

 hearty strain. 



The kingbird and orchard starling remain 

 the whole season, and breed in the tree-tops. 

 The rich, copious song of the starling may be 



