THE BLUE JAY 



preserves, it will be well not to allow the jay to become 

 too abundant." ^ 



Wilson Flagg says: "The blue jay is a true American. 

 He is known througliout the continent and never visits any 

 otlier country. At no season is he absent from our woods. 



"He has a beautiful outward appearance, under which 

 he conceals an unamiable temper and a propensity to 

 mischief. There is no bird in our forest that is arrayed 

 in equal splendor. But with all his beauty, he has, like 

 the peacock, a harsh voice. He is a sort of Ishmael 

 among the feathered tribes, who are startled at the sound 

 of his voice and fear him as a bandit. There is no music 

 in his nature; he is fit only for 'stratagems and spoils.' 



"He is an industrious consumer of the larger insects 

 and grubs, atoning in this way for some of his evil deeds. 

 I cannot say, tlierefore, tliat I would consent to his banish- 

 ment, for he is one of the most cheering tenants of the 

 grove at a season when they have but few inhabitants." "* 



FLORIDA JAYS 



Two species of jays are found in Florida. One, called 

 the FLORIDA BLUE JAY, resembles its northern relative, ex- 

 cept diat it is somewhat smaller (10^/2 inches), is less 

 brilliant in color, and has narrower, less conspicuous white 

 tips to its feathers. These jays frequent live-oak trees. 

 A flock of six or eight on tlie ground searching for acorns, 

 is pleasing to the eye, but not to the ear. 



A second species is called the FLORIDA JAY. The top 

 and sides ,of its head are a grayish-blue; its neck, wings', 



3 Farmers' Bulletin 630, Biological Survey, U. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture. 



*From "Birds of New England," by Wilson Flagg. 



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