CROWS 225 



heard, the harsh screaming cry being much more 

 famiHar. For the Jay is a bird of extremes. At 

 certain times of the year it is one of the most noisy 

 as ^^ell as one of the wariest of its race. But from 

 the moment the nest is made it relapses into absolute 

 silence, and few sitting birds will permit so careless 

 and so near an approach. 



Mr. Metcalfe's photograph was taken at the dis- 

 tance of a couple of yards, and the Jay, when posing 

 for her picture, showed not the slightest disposition 

 to leave. 



Although the Jay is by no means free from evil 

 propensities in the way of egg-stealing, it is to be 

 hoped that an increasing love of Nature will induce 

 the owners of British woodlands to preserve him 

 from extirpation. In the matter of wild birds and 

 flowers thev are the trustees of posterity, and the 

 destruction of so beautiful and interesting a species 

 is a crime which their children may not readily 

 forgive. 



15 



