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HABITS OF THE JAY. 



however, the Jay is seldom seen, as it is much afraid of human beings, and conceals itself in 

 the thickest covert on the slightest alarm. 



The ordinary note of the Jay is a rather soft cry, but the bird is a most adroit imitator of 

 various sounds, particularly those of a harsh character. It has one especial harsh scream, 

 which is its note of alarm, and serves to set on the alert not only its own kind, but every other 

 bird that happens to be within hearing. The sportsman is often baffled in his endeavors to 

 get a shot at his game by the mingled ciiriosity and timidity of the Jay, which cannot hear a 

 strange rustling or see an unaccustomed object without sneaking silently up to inspect it, and 

 is so terribly frightened at the sight of a man, a dog, and a gun, that it dashes off in alarm, 

 uttering its loud "squawk," which indicates to every bird and beast that danger is abroad. 



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In captivity the Jay soon learns to talk, and even when caged displays its imitative powers 

 with considerable success, mocking the bleating of sheep, the cackling of poultry, the grunt- 

 ing of pigs, and even the neighing of horses, with wonderful truth. 



The Jay, like all the crow tribe, will eat animal or vegetable substances with equal /est, 

 and will plunder the hoards of small quadrupeds or swallow the owner with perfect impar- 

 tiality. Young birds are a favorite food of the Jay, which is wonderfully clever at discover- 

 ing nests and devouring the fledglings. Occasionally it even feeds upon birds, and has been 

 seen to catch a full-grown thrush. Eggs also are great dainties with this bird, particularly 

 those of pheasants and partridges, so that it is ranked among the "vermin" by all game- 

 keepers or owners of preserves. So fond is it of eggs, that it can almost invariably be enticed 

 into a trap by means of an egg or two placed as a bait, and it is a curious fact that the Jay 

 does not seem to be aware of the right season for eggs, and suspects no guile even when it 

 finds a nest full of fine eggs in the depth of winter. 



It also eats caterpillars, moths, beetles, and various similar insects, preferring the soft, fat, 

 and full-bodied species to those of a more slender shape. Fruits and berries form a consider- 

 able portion of the autumnal food of this bird, and it occasionally makes great havoc in 

 the cherry orchards, slipping in quietly at the early dawn, accompanied by its mate and 



