30 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



crest, and bright blue in wing-coverts identify it at once at close 

 quarters. Weak flight and rounded wings characteristic at distance 

 in open ; in close woods pure white rump usually very noticeable, 

 as is harsh scream, " schach." 



Breeding-habits. — Nest. — In woods and plantations, generally in 

 undergrowth and not as a rule high, though exceptionally 60 ft. 

 from ground ; outcrop from trunJi of big tree also a favourite 

 site ; exceptionally in tall ling, close to ground. £^ggs. — Generally 

 5 or 6, less often 7 ; resemble those of other races, and cannot be 

 distinguished with certainty. Rare variety almost pink with pale 

 brownish spots, and another almost unmarked with bluish-green 

 ground. Average of 100 eggs, 31.7 X 22.8 mm. Breeding-season. — 

 Begins about last week April in south and early May in north Eng- 

 land. Incubation. — ^Lasts probably about sixteen days. One brood. 



Food. — Much as Continental Jay, but slugs, snails, and occasionally 

 fruit (apples, plums, and cherries) recorded in addition. 



Distribution. — Confined to Great Britain. — England and Wales. — 

 Resident. Generally distributed ; locally abundant. Not found 

 Isle of Man. Scotland. — Resident. Very local. Decreased in 

 numbers but apparently extending northwards. Very rare north 

 of Great Glen and not found Sutherland, Caithness, north-west 

 Highlands, Hebrides, or Orkneys. Recorded Shetlands, but this 

 may have been the Continental form. Ireland. — Replaced by 

 Garrulus glandarius hibernicus, but may occur casually. 



II. Garrulus glandarius hibernicus With. & Hart. — THE 

 IRISH JAY. 



Garrulus glandarius hibernicus Witherby and Hartert, Brit. B., iv, 

 p. 234 (1911— Ireland. Type, co. Wexford). 



Description. — Like British Jay but sides of head, ear-coverts, 

 breast, and flanks darker and more rufous ; nape, mantle, and 

 scapulars also darker and richer rufous-pink ; fore-head and 

 crown usually darker with broader black streaks ; back of crown 

 and nape usually considerably more tinged blue. 



Measurements. — ^About same as in British Jay. (^ wing 

 170-187, tail 140-152, tarsus 40-44, bill from skull 28-32 (12 

 measured). $ wing 172-184. 



Breeding-habits. — Resemble those of British Jay, except that 

 clutch is usually smaller, consisting of 4, or less commonly 5, eggs. 

 Average size of 4 eggs (May 11th, co. Waterford) 31.7 X 23.5 mm. 



Distribution. — Confined to Ireland. — Resident in parts of fol- 

 lowing counties : Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford, 

 Carlow, Queen's, King's, Kildare, Galway, and irregularly in Cork, 

 Westmeath, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, and Louth ; recently spread 

 into Fermanagh and Cavan. 



