568 BRITISH BIRDS. 
_ 
Genus GARRULUS. 
The genus Garrulus is one of those genera which were established by 
Brisson, and which are additional to those recognized by Linneus. The 
explanation of Rule 2 of the Stricklandian code asserts that they “are 
therefore of perfectly good authority,’ but most illogically omits to 
explain why the genera of other contemporaries of Linnzeus, “ which are 
additional to those in the twelfth edition” of the great naturalist’s works, 
are not of equally good authority. Linnzus did not separate the Jays 
from the Crows, but included both in his genus Corvus ; but Brisson had 
established for the former in 1760 the genus Garrulusin his ‘ Ornitho- 
logia,’ ii. p. 46, calling the Common Jay Garrulus garrulus, thereby 
designating it as the type. | 
The Jays belong to the short-winged group of the Corvin, in which 
the tail is always more than three fourths of the length of the wing. 
From the Magpies, which belong to the same group, the Jays are easily 
distinguished by having the tail only slightly rounded and not longer 
than the wing. The upper tail-coverts, except in some Indian species, 
are white. The bill is stout; and the tarsus is scutellated. The most 
characteristic feature of the Jays is their wing-coverts, which are barred 
with blue, black, and white. The nostrils are covered by bristly feathers. 
The true Jays are confined to the Palarctic and Oriental Regions. 
The genus contains about twelve species, some of which are divisible into 
subspecies. Only one species is found in the British Islands; but two 
others are found in Eastern Europe, and a fourth in North Africa. 
Like the rest of the Corvine, the Jays are almost omnivorous. They 
principally frequent woods, where their harsh cries are heard, and where 
they breed, though rarely at any great elevation. Their nests are com- 
posed of twigs lined with roots; and their eggs are greenish white with 
brown spots and streaks, 
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