THE BLUE JAY. 421 



resident throughout their range, but occasionally move from one 

 locality to another, after the breeding season is over, in search of 

 food. That they rernain with us through our long, cold winter 

 is a great point in their favor. In Florida the place of our Jay is 

 taken by one some smaller and less vivid in color, called the Florida 

 Jay. In the west, the long crested Jay, a much darker bird, is 

 found; while in the northern part of the country every woodsman 

 and hunter knows well the Canada Jay, at once the amusement 

 and vexation of the camper. This bird with its Quaker-like garb 

 and un-Quaker-like ways is known by many names : Moose-bird, 

 Camp-Robber, and more generally Whiskey-Jack, or Whiskey-John, 

 form his Indian name Wis-Ka-tjon. The strong characteristics 

 and varied talents of the family appear in each and every species, 

 so that what is told of the good or bad qualities of one applies in 

 a greater or less degree to each of his cousins. 



Ravens, Magpies, Crows and Jays, while held in high esteem for 

 their ability and at tirrie almost uncanny shrewdness, have always 

 been egarded with suspicion and often designated as thieves, 

 robbers and assassins. While confident that the evil found in 

 them is more than balanced by the good, we must admit there is 

 some foundation for the charges brought against them. Our Blue 

 Jay does not escape censure, as he possesses his share of the 

 family faults. The worst charge brought against him is that of 

 disturbing the nests of smaller birds, destroying their eggs, and 

 even making a meal of the nestlings. Proof of his wickedness in 

 this respect may be found in almost any bird-loving community, 

 the spring months rarely passing without some sad tale being told 

 of the tragical end of a much prized Blue-Bird, Wren, or Vireo 

 family. Even the nests of Robins are not immune from Sir Blue 

 Jay's attacks when he becomes possessed of a craving appetite 

 for game. 



Early one spring, when the treasurer of a certain nursery 

 company took possession of her new up-stairs office, her attention 

 was attracted to a pair of Robins building their nest in a tree 

 opposite her window. Although quite a distance from the build- 

 ing, the nest was so placed that nothing prevented a perfect view 

 of their preparations for housekeeping. Each day the pleasure of 

 watching the little domestic scene increased ; the songs of the 

 father-bird and the mother's protection of the eggs through hot 

 sunshine and cold wind and rain were an unfailing source of in- 

 terest which would undoubtedly increase as the young birds passed 

 through the various stages to maturity. But one morning there 

 was a great commotion in the Robin's tree. A Blue Jay had dis- 



