74 THE BL UE J A Y. 



scrolled borders, while others still are suggestive of land- 

 scapes and pictures — all so delicate as to impress one forci- 

 bly with the spirituality of the laws which govern matter. 



THE BLUE JAY. 



What a study it would be for the physicist to determine the 

 variations possible on the one plan of crystallization of water 

 at an angle of 60°! 



To-day I came into possession of a bird, the brilliant col- 

 ors of which are strikingly in contrast with the plainness of 

 winter. The Blue Jay {Cyanurus cristatiis) is one of our win- 

 ter residents, not so generally distributed as in most parts 

 of our country, but quite common to certain low, timbered 

 lands, where it is permanent, and breeds in considerable 

 numbers. 



This is one of the most characteristic birds of Eastern 

 North America. Who does not know the Blue Jay? About 

 a foot long, five inches, or near one-half his length, is meas- 

 ured by his tail; well proportioned, crested and fan-tailed, 

 his form is elegant and his bearing stately; his various and 



