280 CITIZEN BIRD 



" I see that you know this bird very well," said the 

 Doctor. " Have you seen his nest ? " 



"Once. It was in the miller's woods, half-way up 

 in a chestnut tree, and built just like a Crow's, only 

 much smaller. That season one of the Jays whistled 

 and carried on till I thought there were ever so many 

 birds together, and then laughed at me ! They come 

 round the mill for sweepings in winter, but they are 

 almost as shy as Crows." 



When Olaf came with a basket and some short- 

 handled hoes, the Doctor told Dodo she might take 

 off her shoes and stockings and go down on the sand- 

 bar with Nat and Olaf, to dig clams for the chowder 

 for dinner. 



"More niceness ! " screamed Dodo. "Olaf! Olaf! 

 do clams grow in hills like potatoes ? I thought they 

 swam like fish ! Aren't you coming, uncle, and Rap 

 too, to tell us about clams ? " 



" No ; you must talk to Olaf. We are going to help 

 Olive with her seaweeds." 



The Blue Jay 



Length nearly twelve inches. 



A line bhie and black crest on the head, very tall and pointed. 



Upper parts bhie, brighter on the wings and tail, which have 

 i many black bars and some white tips. 



Under parts grayish-white, with a black collar. 



A Citizen of eastern North America from the Fur Countries to 

 Florida. 



Belonging to the guild of Ground (xleaners, his special work 

 being to kill grasshopj^ers and caterpillars ; but often eats young 

 birds and sucks eggs, like a cannibal bird. 



