Junc.j Weixdorfkr ANU Francis, IF//r^ L?/"e nj Tdsmania. 21 



the scrub, but invariably near its edge, so that the youn{< l:)irds 

 on their first excursions to the plains may escape the lurkin;;' 

 clanger of the cat beneath. Should an accident befall one of 

 the pair during the nesting, and the bird disappear, its mate 

 will, on the discovery, raise a hue and cry, which will be 

 answered from all points of tiie compass, and willing mates 

 will join in and in an agitated way scour the whole district, 

 uttering a distinct cry, which apparently is expected to bring 

 about an answer from the missing bird. 



The weaning of the young, which falls about the end of 

 January, is done in a curious way, and helps to illustrate the 

 social habits of the bird. No sound is uttered as the parent 

 birds flutter from tree to tree, their numbers increasing as each 

 nest is passed. On they go, still no sound disclosing the 

 direction of their flight, and in ghost-like, uncanny silence the 

 procession continues until the last birds are lost to view. The 

 next morning finds the young birds sitting disconsolately on 

 trees, at first not knowing what to do in the absence of their 

 parents. In all probability the old birds have migrated to 

 higher elevations where a later season assures an ample supply 

 of food in insects and berries of various Stypheliaceous 

 plants. 



Their return in autumn in done in a similar but less silent 

 way, and wvls observed during May, 1918, when an endless 

 train of birds came from the south, flying northwards by way 

 of the lakes and river courses. Apparently they had come a 

 long distance, as here and there birds were seen to alight on 

 trees for short rests, and the cheerful sound of their voices was 

 heard from all along the line. Although the first arrivals had 

 not been noticed, nor yet the end of the procession seen, the 

 interested spectator had to turn for home after enjoying the 

 unusual sight for several hours. 



The Jay will call at any hour of the night, especially when 

 the moon is shining, and the reason must be either that it has 

 been disturbed by the approach of some intruder or that it is 

 expressing its feelings, like the possum with its human-like 

 laugh. 



The worst enemies of the Jay are the members of tlu- Owl 

 famih', and in wandering through the bush at night one may 

 not infrequently hear the agonized cry of an unfortunate 

 victim. Anything in the way of insect food will be wholly 

 digested by this bird, but in the case of the berries of Drimys 

 (iromalica, ('yathodes acerosa, and other plants the seeds arc 

 regurgitated. 



The flesh of the old bird, when boiled down, will make a 

 passal)le soup at least it will be better and richer than one 

 has to get accustomed to in average restaiu'ants and boarding- 

 houses. The joung bird liokls its eciual with any other game-l)ird. 



