A BIRD MISCELLANY 153 



and that the bantHngs may get their first view of the 

 world in the swirl of a snow-squall. The nests are built 

 in pine bushes and trees at various distances from the 

 ground. Of all the hurlv-burlies ever heard, that which 

 these birds are able to make when you go near their 

 nests, or discover them, bears off the palm, their voices 

 being as raucous as a buzz-saw, fairly setting your teeth 

 on edge. 



Those of us who live in the East are so accustomed 

 to the adjective " blue"" in connection with the jay that 

 we are surprised to find that P. c. cap'italis wears no 

 blue whatever, but dons a sombre suit of leaden gray, 

 somewhat relieved by the blackish shade of the wings 

 and tail, with their silvery or frosted lustre. He is cer- 

 tainly not an attractive bird, either in dress or in form, 

 for he appears very " thick-headed " and lumpish, as if 

 he scarcely knew enough to seek shelter in a time of 

 storm ; but, of course, a bird that contrives to coax a 

 livelihood out of such unpromising surroundings must 

 possess a fine degree of intelligence, and, therefore, can- 

 not be so much of a dullard as his appearance would 

 indicate. 



He has some interesting ways, too, as will be seen 

 from the following quotation from a Colorado writer : 

 " WTiite-headed, grave, and sedate, he seems a very 

 paragon of propriety, and if you appear to be a suit- 

 able personage, he Mall be apt to give you a bit of ad- 



