114 BIRD-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 



EUROPEAN JAY. 



THIS bird is inferior in the brightness and va- 

 riety of its colors to the American Blue Jay. Yet 

 the colors of its plumage are chaste aud pleasing, 

 and the variegated beauty spot on the wing, en- 

 livening the whole, it is considered, and justly 

 too, one of the most beautiful of European birds. 

 It has the same lively and sprightly habits ; as 

 ours it will articulate words, is familiar, docile 

 and obedient, will imitate the notes of other birds, 

 and it is said, when young, it may be taught to 

 whistle a tune. 



FOOD. In Europe it is fed on bread and milk, 

 and it is said requires plenty of water to wash to 

 keep it clean ; so would our Blue Jays, if kept 

 on the same food. But I have had them, as clean 

 and beautiful in a cage, as ever they were in the 

 woods, whether they wash or not, and so would 

 this bird too, if fed on the same yankee fare, 

 good yellow meal and milk, plenty of gravel, 

 water to wash, and a bit of beef two or three 

 times a week. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEXES. The male has 



