PERCHING BIRDS, 143 
some of their neighbours. Indeed, in their general 
habits they are very similar to their American cousins, 
described so inimitably by Alexander Wilson. 
Jays seldom congregate in larger numbers than the 
brood of the year, these small parties of five or six 
generally associating together through the winter, and 
dispersing in the spring. Their flight is not extended 
far, and is of a broken, undulatory character, as they 
pass from tree to tree, or from one plantation to another. 
A high hedge or bush is generally chosen for the nest, 
which is constructed of dried sticks, the base being of 
larger ones, supporting a shallow cup, which is loosely 
woven of small twigs, and lined with fibrous roots. I 
once took one containing four eggs from the extreme 
top of a tall beech tree, at least fifty or sixty feet 
high ; this was entirely made of dead birch twigs, with 
the exception of the lining of roots, and was much more 
neatly put together than usual. The late Mr. Waterton 
remarked that “the nest of the jay is never seen near 
the tops of trees ;” the instance I have mentioned was 
certainly an exception to this rule, if it is one, which I 
greatly doubt. 
The Woodpeckers are peculiarly inhabitants of the 
forest, and that handsome species the Green Woodpecker 
(Picus viridis), is very abundant, our old decaying 
oaks being a favourite resort, and furnishing them with 
an ample supply of food. The light, sandy forest soil is 
greatly frequented by ants, and here you are sure to 
meet with the green woodpecker. It is a shy species, 
and its white eye wears a peculiarly wild expression, 
while its singular cry, heard in the depths of the woods, 
has something very unearthly and startling about it. It 
is generally uttered while it is on the wing, making its 
