12 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



too small for us to distinguish, and either devour it then 



and there or bear it off in triumph. 



We all know that the bird is not a jay at all, that its 

 proper name is the Indian roller {Coracias indica), that 

 it is related to the kingfisher family, and that it is called 

 a jay merely on account of its gaudy plumage. 



Next to its colour the most striking thing about the 

 blue jay is its wonderful power of flight. Ordinarily the 

 bird is content to flap along at an easy pace, but, when it 

 likes, it can move for a little as though it were shot out 

 of a catapult ; moreover, it is able to completely change 

 its course with startling rapidity ; hence even the swiftest 

 birds of prey find it no child's play to catch a roller bird. 

 A good idea of its aerial performances may be obtained 

 by watching it attack a kite that persists in hovering 

 about in the neighbourhood of the nest. Blue jays, like 

 king-crows and doves, are exceedingly short-tempered 

 when they have young. 



This species seems to indulge in very little sleep ; it 

 is up betimes, and may be seen about long after every 

 other day bird, with the possible exception of the king- 

 crow, is fast asleep. 



The blue jay is a good friend to the gardener, since 

 it feeds exclusively on insects and small animals. Jerdon 

 cites as the chief articles of its diet, large insects, grass- 

 hoppers, crickets, mantidae, and beetles, with an occa- 

 sional field-mouse or shrew. To this list he might have 

 added-frogs and small snakes. 



At most seasons of the year the blue jay strikes one 

 as a rather sluggish bird, being content to squat on a 

 perch for a great part of the day and wait patiently for 



