SPRING AT THE CAPITAL 153 



again tunes up, no Frenchman rolling his r's so 

 fluently. C-r-r-r-r-r, — whrr, — that 's itj — chee^ 

 •— quacky ducky — yit-yit-yit, — now hit it, — 

 ti^-r-r-Vy — when, — caw, caWy — cuty cuty — tea- 

 ^oyy — tvhoy whoy — meiVy meiVy — and so on till 

 you are tired of listening. Observing one very 

 closely one day, I discovered that he was limited 

 to six notes or changes, which he went through in 

 regular order, scarcely varying a note in a dozen 

 repetitions. Sometimes, when a considerable dis- 

 tance ofif, he will fly down to have a nearer view of 

 you. And such a curious, expressive flight, — legs 

 extended, head lowered, wings rapidly vibrating, 

 the whole action piquant and droll! 



The chat is an elegant bird, both in form and 

 color. Its plumage is remarkably firm and compact. 

 Color above, light olive-green; beneath, bright yel- 

 low; beak, black and strong. 



The cardinal grosbeak, or Virginia redbird, is 

 quite common in the same localities, though more 

 inclined to seek the woods. It is much sought 

 after by bird-fanciers, and by boy gunners, and 

 consequently is very shy. This bird suggests a 

 British redcoat; his heavy, pointed beak, his high 

 cockade, the black stripe down his face, the expres- 

 sion of weight and massiveness about his head and 

 neck, and his erect attitude, give him a decided 

 soldier-like appearance; and there is something of 

 the tone of the fife in his song or whistle, while 

 his ordinary note, when disturbed, is like the clink 

 of a sabre. Yesterday, as I sat indolently swing- 



