SPRING AT THE CAPITAL 153 
again tunes up, no Frenchman rolling his r’s so 
fluently. C-r-r-r-r-7, —whrr, — that’s it, — chee, 
—guack, cluck, — yit-yit-yit, —now hit it, — 
tr-r-r-7, — 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 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 off, 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 
soldiet-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- 
