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On the Blue-Bearded-Jay.



me to take hold of his bill between my finger and thumb, though

he does not like his toes to be touched, but if anyone else

attempts to tickle him, he turns round and digs at the end of the

forefinger with all his might; and some visitors don’t seem to

like this, though it really does not hurt much.


When Mr. Gronvold came over to make the drawings of

my Blue-bearded Jay to illustrate this article, he wondered how

he was to get into line with it, and get it steady enough for his

purpose ; but I assured him it would be quite easy. Having

seated the artist on a low stool in line with the outer perch, I

simply called “Jack,” and the bird flew to me at once; then I

only had to tickle his side to keep him quiet as long as I pleased

(I don’t think it was far short of an hour).


To get the bird in position for the smaller sketch is

equally easy; you only have to give him a seed of Indian maize,

and he places it between his feet and hammers away until he is

tired, lets it drop for a minute, then replaces it and goes on

again.


If I notice the other birds without stooping to pet Jack,

he comes to the front and utters his loud metallic barking notes

to call my attention to him ; then he bows over the perch

dancing, and crooning a ridiculous little song which sounds

most comical coming from so large a bird. A similar song

and a stamping dance are mentioned by Mrs. Olive Thorne

Miller in the interesting account of her pet Blue Jay, in her

delightful little book called “ In Nesting Time.”


As a pet, this bird could hardly be surpassed ; it is not only

confiding and interesting, but very beautiful ; its jet black,

snow-white, and greyish brown plumage; the laveuder-wliite

crestdike nape-plumes behind the true crest, the varied blue

patches on the face, and the brilliant golden yellow of its eyes,

produce altogether one of the most charming combinations to

be found in bird-life ; and when kept in a large cage in a

conservatory it is not offensive, provided that the remains of

dead mice are removed as soon as done with. The fact that I have

already had my bird for eight years, shows that it is not a short¬

lived species.



