SOMERSET HILLS 69 



nent and noisy bird, yet universally 

 liked, because of his gay colors and 

 jovial and careless manners. Sometimes 

 he robs the nests of other birds of their 

 eggs. When Jays are near they are 

 apt to make themselves heard, and ap- 

 parently are always quarreling v^ith one 

 another. The calls of the Jay seem 

 unlimited, for he makes all sorts of 

 noises of his own and adds those 

 which he has copied from other birds. 

 In captivity it is possible to have Jays 

 very tame; and we have a pair that like 

 to eat nuts and fruit from our hands. 

 During midsummer one seldom sees 

 many Jays, for they seclude themselves 

 in the woods, and perform their nesting 

 duties, at that time rarely coming near 

 civilization. 



Blue Jays usually nest in small trees, 

 often young pines. 



