130 ^ Bird -Lore 



Mr. Blue Jay. It being a strange part of the town it was several days before he 

 found his familiar landmarks, but one day our maid ran in excitedly to announce 

 his return. 



As it was impossible for Jay to open doors or windows for himself, he would come to 

 the window-sill to be let out, and when coming in would light on the top of the screen 

 frame to tap sharply on the glass. If he failed to get a response in one room he would 

 try another. 



He was particularly fond of butter and at meal-time would perch on the gas fixture 

 in the hall, from where he had an unobstructed view of the dining table, and when butter 

 was being served he would, with unerring aim, swoop down across the table, getting 

 his mouth full. 



If he were not to be found at feeding time, one had only to stand outside and extend 

 the arm with food in the hand, and almost immediately from out of space, Jay would 

 appear. 



To one member of the household, only, he appealed for his bath, and his wants were 

 always heeded. A cover was spread on the floor, a large basin filled with water and put 

 down, and one would think a new automatic fire extinguisher had been turned on. 



Another amusing instance: The dear mother was quilting that summer and Jay 

 seemed to enjoy keeping her company, flying in and out of the room and trotting around 

 on the frames, but the quilter was too busy putting in the beautiful stitches to notice 

 what the tiny companion was doing. In the winter, however, when finishing the edges 

 of the quilts, her needle would strike against buttons, sticks, pebbles and anything Jay 

 was able to tuck away in the cloth. 



Belonging to the magpie family he was not particularly honest, and if we missed 

 anything, from a diamond earring to a door key, we knew Jay had hidden it somewhere, 

 and at times it required a diligent search to find the missing article; but when in hot 

 weather a bit of raw meat had been carefully secreted under the bed on the slats, we 

 were very thankful that our sense of smell directed us to the hidden dainty. 



Jay had a most unusual marking on his head, a single feather about two inches long 

 growing from the tip of the crest, which, added to his saucy, bold manner, gave him quite 

 the air of a Mephistopheles. 



It seemed cruel to cage the joyous creature through the long winter, so, after many 

 family councils, it was decided to let him follow his natural instincts, which took him 

 away finally. 



We missed the brilliant flash of color and the companionship of our little pet, and 

 even now on hearing the challenging note of his kind we recall that happy summer with 

 our own Blue Jay. — Sioux City Daily Tribune. 



This method of educating public sentiment in regard to birds and bird-protection is 

 especially helpful, when spontaneous cooperation underlies it. — A. H. W.] 



SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL OBSERVATION CONDITIONS 



The observations of my fourth grade have been withheld as long as possible. 

 Enthusiasm runs high, and our lifteen-minute bird-talks on Friday mornings 

 are entirely too short. Our study club meets every two weeks. At this time 

 the leaflets are carefully studied and additional material discussed. 



With spring near, I am planning a contest. The child seeing, identifying, 

 and entering in his bird record, the most birds during spring migration, at 

 least fifteen, is to receive Reed's Bird Guide. 



A similar contest for the identification of wild flowers is being planned. 



