4S 



Sot}ie Blue Javs. 



They all make good pets, and do well in confinement, 

 being easily catered for, as they are practically omnivorous. 



By far the most beautiful member of this family is, to 

 my mind, the Azure Jay {Cyanocorax caeriilcus), a native of the 

 \rgentine. This is a large bird, nearly twice the size of the 

 F.uropean species. With the exception of the head and throat, 

 which are black, the whole of the plumage is a brilliant azure 

 blue, both sexes being alike. Very few of iiie so-called Birds 

 of Paradise can excel this bird in beauty. This is the only one 

 of the Jays, with which T am acquainted, that has any song; most 



Photo bx II . Shore Baih'. 



Mexican I Hue jav. 



of them are harsh and noisy screamers. Both my birds have a 

 well-sustained song, pitched in a low tone, closely resembling 

 the warblings of our starling, and not unlike that of the 

 Budgerigar. They also have other and harslier calls, uttered 

 when alarmed or otherwise excited. Both birds feed each 

 other and are affectionate, but 1 am not yet certain that they are 

 a true pair. Time alone will show. 



