280 CITIZEN BIRD 



" I see that you know this bird very well," said tlie 

 Doctor. '' Have you seen his nest ? " 



"Once. It was in the miller's woods, half-way up 

 in a chestnut tree, and built just like a Crow's, only 

 much smaller. That season one of the Jays whistled 

 and carried on till I thought there were ever so many 

 birds together, and then laughed at me ! They come 

 round the mill for sweepings in winter, but they are 

 almost as shy as Crows." 



When Olaf came with a basket and some short - 

 handled hoes, the Doctor told Dodo she might take 

 off her shoes and stockings and go down on the sand- 

 bar with Nat and Olaf, to dig clams for the chowder 

 for dinner. 



"iNIore niceness I " screamed Dodo. ''Olaf! Olaf! 

 do clams grow in hills like potatoes ? I thought they 

 swam like fish ! Aren't you coming, uncle, and Rap 

 too, to tell us about clams ? " 



" No ; you must talk to Olaf. We are going to help 

 Olive with her seaweeds." 



The Blue Jay 



Length nearly twelve inches. 



A fine blue and black crest on the head, very tall and pointed. 



Upper parts blue, brighter on the wings and tail, which have 

 many black bars and some white tips. 



Under parts grayish-white, with a black collar. 



A Citizen of eastern North America from the Fur Countries to 

 Florida. 



Belonging to the guild of Ground Gleaners, his special work 

 being to kill grasshoppers and caterpillars ; but often eats young 

 birds and sucks eggs, like a cannibal bird. 



