SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. 143 



In the city, even before the shop-windows have 

 caught the inspiration, spring is heralded by the silver 

 poplars, which line all the streets and avenues. After 

 a few mild, sunshiny March days, you suddenly per- 

 ceive a change has come over the trees. Their tops 

 have a less naked look. If the weather continues 

 warm, a single day will work wonders. Presently the 

 tree will be one vast plume of gray, downy tassels, 

 while not the least speck of green foliage is visible. 

 The first week in April these long mimic caterpillars 

 lie all about the streets and fill the gutters. 



The approach of spring is also indicated by the 

 crows and buzzards, which rapidly multiply in the 

 environs of the city, and grow bold and demonstrative. 

 The crows are abundant here all winter, but are not 

 very noticeable except as they pass high in air to and 

 from their winter-quarters in the Virginia woods. 

 Early in the morning, as soon as it is light enough to 

 discern them, there they are, streaming eastward across 

 the sky, now in loose, scattered flocks, now in thick, 

 denSe masses, then singly and in pairs or triplets, but 

 all setting in one direction, probably to the waters of 

 Eastern Maryland. Toward night they begin to return, 

 flying in the same manner, and directing their course to 

 the wooded heights on the Potomac, west of the city. 

 In spring - these diurnal mass movements cease ; the 

 clan breaks up, the rookery is abandoned, and the 

 birds scatter broadcast over the land. This seems to 

 be the course everywhere pursued. One would think 



