The pigeon got on the train at DC. He strode up the aisle almost to the front, changed his mind and returned to the rear. Still unsatisfied, he passed my seat for a third time and followed the conductor into the next car forward.

No panic. No ruffled feathers. Is this customary behavior? Does the train just look like a crowded park to him? Or has he been drinking too much of our pharmaceutical-tainted public water supply from the DC fountains?

Come to think of it, everyone was pretty smiley, calm and helpful in DC last weekend. Maybe it was the gorgeous weather or the fact that I was smiling so much. Or maybe everyone was drinking the same water as the pigeon.

I didn’t see the pigeon again. I think he got off at BWI.