SPRING AT THE CAPITAL 151 
prototype. Its color above is a light gray-blue, 
gradually fading till it becomes white on the breast 
and belly. It is a very small bird, and has a long, 
facile, slender tail. Its song is a lisping, chatter- 
ing, incoherent warble, now faintly reminding one 
of the goldfinch, now of a miniature catbird, then 
of a tiny yellow-hammer, having much variety, but 
no unity and little cadence. 
Another bird which has interested me here is the 
Louisiana water-thrush, called also large-billed water- 
thrush, and water-wagtail. It is one of a trio of 
birds which has confused the ornithologists much. 
The other two species are the well-known golden- 
crowned thrush or wood-wagtail, and the northern, 
or small, water-thrush. 
The present species, though not abundant, is fre- 
quently met with along Rock Creek. It is a very 
quick, vivacious bird, and belongs to the class of 
ecstatic singers. I have seen a pair of these thrushes, 
on a bright May day, flying to and fro between two 
spring runs, alighting at intermediate points, the 
male breaking out into one of the most exuberant, 
unpremeditated strains I ever heard. Its song is 
a sudden burst, beginning with three or four clear 
round notes much resembling certain tones of the 
clarionet, and terminating in a rapid, intricate warble. 
This bird resembles a thrush only in its color, 
which is olive-brown above and grayish white be- 
neath, with speckled throat and breast. Its habits, 
manners, and voice suggest those of the lark. 
CF seldom go the Rock Creek route without being 
