SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. 165 



most discordant that ever broke the sylvan silence. 

 Now he barks like a puppy, then quacks like a duck, 

 then rattles like a kingfisher, then squalls like a fox, 

 then caws like a crow, then mews like a cat. Now, he 

 calls as if to be heard a long way off, then changes 

 his key, as if addressing the spectator. Though very 

 shy, and carefully keeping himself screened when you 

 show any disposition 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 become very melodramatic. In 

 less than half a minute he darts into the bushes again, 

 and again tunes up, no Frenchman rolling his /-'s so 

 fluently. C-r-r-r-r-r, — whrr, — thafs it, — chee, — 

 quack, cluck, — yit-yit-yit, — nozu hit it, — tr-r-r-r, — 

 when, — caw, caw, — cut, cut, — tea-boy, — who, who, 

 — mew, view, — 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 considerable distance off, he will fly clown to 

 have a nearer view of you. And such a curious, ex- 

 pressive 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 yellow; beak, 

 black and strong. 



