142 The Ottawa Naturalist. [October 



THE CANADA JAY. 



(By Wm. H. Moore. Scotch Lake, N.B.) 



The Canada jay [Pet isoreus canadensis) is one of our Cana- 

 dian birds which is blessed with several local names. Some of 

 these names are " *.amp-robber," '• whiskey-jack," "' moose-bird," 

 and 'gorbie," but speak ot this bird as Canada jay 10 most of his 

 human acquaintances and ihey know not what bird is meant. 



The Canada jay is one of our most hardy birds. So hardy in 

 fact, that not only do the adults withstand our severe winters, but 

 they even build their nests and bring forth the young while snow 

 still covers the ground. The nest is a compact affair, built of 

 twigs, fine shreds of bark, and hair, and if wool is obtainable it is 

 added. 



The plumage of the young, is much darker than that of the 

 adults, being sooty black throughout with a slight tip of white on 

 tail feathers. The white of the head and neck is lacking until 

 August or September, when they have assumed the same colored 

 dress as the older birds, being greyish with white cheeks, throat 

 and collar, forehead, and tip of the tail. When on the wing they 

 seem to float on the air, rather than to be working vigorously 

 with the wings as some birds do. A cause of prejudice against 

 the Canada jay is the manner in which at times they obtain their 

 food. They are much disliked by trappers and hunters, as they 

 often take the bait from traps set for fur bearing animals, and also 

 by feeding upon carcases of game hung up by hunters. Many 

 hunters have lost shots at game on account of this bird giving a 

 a cry of alarm when it sees a man, and as all of the wild 

 neighbors partially understand the calls and actions of their 

 friends, all know to be on the qui vive when an alarm call is given. 

 Campers also dislike its way of taking any bit of food that it can 

 carry away, yet some campers delight in feeding the birds just to 

 see them eat, and carry away what they cannot eat. Anything 

 from a small bone, bread-crnst, or piece of soap is acceptable to 

 their needs ; whatever it may be, it is picked up in the bill, and 

 while on the wing it is changed to a foot, and changed as easily 



