SPRING AT THE CAPITAL. 151 



iggs. It is a perfect jelly, of a slightly milky tinge, 

 thickly imbedded with black spots about the size of 

 a small bird's eye. When just deposited, it is per- 

 fectly transparent. These hatch in eight or ten days, 

 gradually absorb their gelatinous surroundings, and 

 the tiny tadpoles issue forth. 



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 free will be one vast plume of gray, downy tas- 

 sels, while not the least speck of green foliage is vis- 

 ible. The first week in April these long mimic cater- 

 pillars 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 en- 

 virons 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 trip- 

 lots, but all setting in one direction, probably to the 

 waters of Eastern Maryland. Toward night they be- 

 gin to return, flying in the same manner, and direct- 



