NATURAL HISTORY. 
LIST OF BIRDS ASCERTAINED TO INHABIT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WITH 
THE TIMES OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF SUCH AS ARE NON-RESIDENTS, 
AND BRIEF NOTICES OF HABITS, ETC. 
BY ELLIOTT COUES AND D. WEBSTER PRENTISS. 
From the central situation of the District of Columbia, with regard 
to the northern and southern sections of the country, together with 
the varied character of surface which it presents, it might be ex- 
pected to possess a rich and interesting avi-fauna. Such has been 
found to be the case. It seems to be on the natural dividing line be- 
tween the true northern and southern faunas, it being impossible to 
decide which takes precedence. Therefore, if we except a few pe- 
culiarly favored regions, we are enabled to present a more extensive 
list of species inhabiting the district than has been given for almost 
any other locality in eastern North America. 
Though the number of birds which are resident throughout the 
year and those which breed here is considerable, they are few in 
comparison with those which pass through during their spring and 
autumn migrations, and remain for a longer or shorter time each sea- 
son. The number of species, indeed, is not greater, but the individu- 
als of each are very numerous. It is on this account that for a month 
or so during the spring and autumn — from about the 20th of April 
to the 20th of May, and from the 1st of September to the middle of 
October — the collector is so amply repaid for his pains, while at other 
times ornithologizing, except for some particular birds, is hardly 
worth the 'time and trouble. So numerous, indeed, are individuals of 
most of the migratory species that at the height of the season in 
spring we have collected, in a walk before breakfast, from forty to 
fifty specimens of various species of warblers, thrushes, flycatchers, 
finches, &c. As an instance of the number of birds which pass 
through the District on their way north to breed, compared with 
those which remain with us during the summer, may be cited the 
wood- warblers, or Dendroicce . Of the twelve or thirteen wood- warb- 
lers found more or less abundantly in the spring and fall, only three 
are known to breed here. The same might be affirmed of other birds, 
as the thrushes, flycatchers, sandpipers, &c. 
Though there is included in the list only those species which have 
been positively detected, there are some of which specimens have 
been obtained, and yet are not entitled to be considered as inhabitants 
of the District. These may be divided into three classes : First, 
those which visit us in severe winters, being driven south, out of 
