154 SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. 



generally, but much finer and more delicate than the 

 song of any other variety known to me ; beginning in 

 a fine, round, needle-like note, and rising into a full, 

 sustained warble ; — 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 extrav- 

 agant. The song of the kinglet is the only character- 

 istic 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 extensive 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, black-birds, wrens, etc. 

 In March the white-throated and white-crowned spar- 

 rows 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 keep- 

 er's large-lettered warning, and at intervals, and espe- 

 cially 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 heard there all the fore- 

 noon. The song of some birds is like scarlet, — strong, 

 intense, emphatic. This is the character of the orchard 



