200 SPRfNG AT THE CAPITAL. 



ing himself screened when you show any dis- 

 position to get a better view, he will pres- 

 ently, if you remain quiet, ascend a twig, or 

 hop out on a branch in plain sight, lop his 

 tail, droop his wings, cock his head, and be- 

 come very melodramatic. In less than half 

 a minute, he darts into the bushes again, and 

 again tunes up, no Frenchman rolling his r's 

 so fluently : C-r-r-r-r-r, whrr, that 's it, 

 chee, quack, cluck, yit-yit-yit, now 

 hit it, tr-r-r-r, when, caw, caw, cut, 

 cut, tea-boy, who, who, mew, mew, 

 and so on till you are tired of listening. 

 Observing one very closely one day, I dis- 

 covered 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 consider- 

 able distance off, he will fly down to have a 

 nearer view of you. And such a curious, 

 expressive flight, legs extended, head low- 

 ered, wings rapidly vibrating, the whole ac- 

 tion 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 yellow ; beak, black 

 and strong. 



