JAY. 33 



Hartert, is confined to Ireland ; neither is found in Man. The 

 typical European Jay, G. g. glandarius (Linn.), was first 

 recognised in 1910, though autumn migrants, probably of this 

 race, had been frequently recorded but not critically examined. 

 More strictly a woodland bird than the Pie, the vinaceous 

 plumaged Jay is less familiar, but in game preserves its mangled 

 corpse decorates or disfigures most keepers' gibbets. Persecu- 

 tion has failed to destroy it, and to-day, in many areas, the Jay is 

 not decreasing. Shy and wary, ever ready to take alarm, it defies 

 the keeper's strenuous efforts. Its dress and behaviour prevent 

 confusion with any other species, whilst its harsh screech, a 

 strident " kraak, kraak," is as distinctive. This note often calls 

 our attention to a flash of white as the bird dodges out of sight ; 

 that is all that catches the eye. When unconscious of our 

 presence it will sit, raising and depressing its black-streaked 

 crest, elevate and lower its fanned-out tail, or swing it from side 

 to side ; it leaps rather heavily from branch to branch, constantly 

 turning its head on the look-out for danger, or furtively seeking 

 some unwary victim. On the ground it hops jauntily, sideways 

 rather than forwards ; on the wing, when alarmed, it flies 

 quickly and speedily takes cover. In the open its flight is un- 

 dulating and somewhat laboured ; its rounded wings appear 

 short and weak. Woods and coverts are its usual haunt, but I 

 often meet with it hunting in osier beds. After the young have 

 left the nest the family parties scour the woods, following one 

 another with noisy screams, which, though really calls or notes 

 of affection, have an angry, often distressful ring ; the happy 

 birds sound as if in torture. Early in the year many gather 

 together for courtship, and then a crooning jumble of soft and 

 not unmusical notes make up the nuptial song ; in this the 

 imitative Jay has been heard to introduce the voices of other 

 birds or mammals. 



As its specific name implies, it is partial to acorns, beech- 

 mast and nuts ; the stomachs of a number killed in winter 



Series I. D 



