AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



59 



fering the outskirts of the forests 

 near some water course. The\' are 

 inveterate scolds and thieves and 

 they are never as happy as when 

 teasing a smaller bird or committing 

 some petty depredation. They 

 seem determined to find out the 

 why and wherefor of everything 

 they see or hear, and they can be 

 quite easily called by imitating their 

 call or by making any unusual noise. 



They are generally very shy 

 and quite difficult to approach, as 

 they contrive to keep two or three 

 trees ahead of their would be slayer, 

 and while their voice is very much 

 in evidence, they are only seen oc- 

 casionally as they fly from tree to 

 tree. They are unexcelled as 

 mimics and can imitate almost any 

 sound, from the shrill cry of a 

 hawk to the chattering of a squir- 

 rel. Many a weary hunter, return- 

 ing from his day's tramp, has heard 

 what he supposed a hawk, and 

 thinking to add to his trophies for 

 the day, has started in pursuit. He 

 is led a merry chase through the 

 thick brush, always hoping to find 

 his prey in the next tree, till in de- 

 spair he gives up the chase. To 

 add to his discomfiture, he finds 

 that he has not been pursuing a 

 hawk at all, for as soon as he turns 

 back, the harsh discordant cry of 

 the Jay mocks him from the depths 

 of the next pine. 



Although generally wary, where 

 not molested they become quite 

 tame, and will come about the farm 

 houses and feed on the pieces of 

 bread or meat that are thrown out 



for them. While very^greedy at 

 all times the\' always show fore- 

 thought by laying by a store of, 

 food for the morrow. After having 

 eaten all they can, they will carry 

 off piece after piece and conceal it. 

 They are not at all particular about 

 their food and will eat anything 

 that is edible. hi winter, pine 

 seeds form a considerable portion of 

 their diet. 1 am sorry to say that 

 they are also extremely fond of 

 the eggs and young of other 

 birds. Thus they are the cause of 

 breaking up many a happy home. 

 Their feet are strong and are used 

 in holding their food while tearing 

 it up into pieces suitable for swal- 

 lowing. 



All birds have a song of some 

 sort. The Jay appears to realize 

 that there is a ludicrous lack of har- 

 mon\' in his, and rarely utters it in 

 public. In the early spring it may 

 be heard as he endeavors to win 

 the love of some coquette. 



With numerous bows and gro- 

 tesque antics, he proceeds to utter a 

 series of low warbling notes, inter- 

 spersed with shrill whistles and im- 

 itations of the notes of many other 

 birds. 



They are very quiet during nest- 

 ing time. The female sits very 

 close and will allow you nearly to 

 touch her before leaving the eggs. 

 When disturbed both birds will 

 unite in most vigorous outcries. 

 They evidently do not realize that 

 they are being treated just as they 

 themselves have treated scores of 

 other birds. 



