THE WHISKY JACK. 151 
like beaks, much to the tough-skinned ruminant’s 
delight. 
It was pleasant to watch an old ox with three 
or four of the blackbirds on his back, busy turn- 
ing over the hairs with their beaks: the bullock, 
slowly shutting and opening his great watery 
eyes, rolling round his cud, and giving little grunts 
of delight, seemed to enjoy the tickling sensation 
(I am not sure that he knew what his feathered 
friends were doing for his good), as much as if a 
modern barber was brushing his hair by ma- 
chinery. I never saw the nests of these birds, 
but think they build in holes in the walls, or 
rocks, if walls are not to be found. 
Canapa Jay, on Wuisxy Jack (Perisoreus 
Canadensis, Bonap.).—This and ‘ Steller’s Jay’ 
are the only representatives of the jay family in 
British Columbia. So familiar and confiding in 
its habits is this plain little ash-coloured bird, and 
at the same time so fond of being near the habi- 
tations of man, that Canadian settlers and gold- 
miners of the North-west style it the Whisky © 
Jack, never harm it, and say that wherever man 
goes, Whisky and Whisky Jacks invariably 
follow. In cold weather I have seen poor little 
jack hop by the fire, perch himself on a log, ruff 
up his feathers, and warm himself as fearlessly as 
