180 FILLING UP KEYHOLES. 



while on my foot ; in the loop of a bow ; in the 

 plaits of a ruffle ; under a pillow. Often when 

 I get up, a shower of the jay's treasures falls 

 from various hiding-places about my dress, — 

 nails, matches, shoe-buttons, and others; and I 

 am never sure that I shall not find soft, milk- 

 soaked bread in my slipper. But the latest dis- 

 covered and most annoying of his receptacles is 

 in my hair. He delights in standing on the 

 high back of my rocking-chair, or on my 

 shoulder, and he soon discovered several desira- 

 ble hiding-places conveniently near, such as my 

 ear, and under the loosely dressed hair. I did 

 not object to his using these, but when he 

 attempted to tuck away some choice thing be- 

 tween my lips I rebelled. I never expect to 

 find a keyhole that he can reach, free from 

 bread crumbs, and the openings of my waste- 

 basket are usually decorated with objects half 

 driven in. 



The jay shows unbounded interest in every- 

 thing. Every sound and every fresh sight 

 arouses him instantly; his crest comes up, 

 his feathers fluff out, and he is on tiptoe to 

 see what will come next. He is remarkably 

 discriminating among people, and takes violent 

 likes and dislikes on the instant. Some per- 

 sons, without any reason that I can discover, 

 he salutes on their first appearance with an in- 



