* 
94 ALONG DAY “With THE Bir ps 
half again as large, or even like two black- 
birds’ nests placed one on the other. Jay 
rhymes with gay, and this describes the plum- 
age of the bird, which is at the same time 
very beautiful. Its general colour is a red- 
dish-grey, but what strikes one at once is the 
bright blue (a tint quite its own), contrasting 
well with the rest of the upper half of the 
wings. The bird is also set off with a 
greyish crest, streaked black, which it often 
erects, and black is found on the wings, and 
it has a black beak and a moustache-like 
mark, whilst the under part of the tail is 
white, which is well seen in flight. It is sel- 
dom, however, that one can admire him 
in the wild state, as he is very wary, being 
hunted so much, and hides himself amongst 
thick greenery, which is his favourite haunt. 
But he will let you know by his well-known 
discordant chatter where he is ; he will chatter 
at you, and especially your dog, if you have 
one with you. The poor pretty jay is loved 
by few when alive, but is a favourite when 
stuffed ! He is such a depredator and robber 
