192 RAMBLES ABOUT HOME. 



harshly and incessantly, as is their wont, they thread their 

 way through the innumerable branches. In so doing, 

 they use their wings less than other birds, except the par- 

 rots. They climb from twig to twig, and walk with quite 

 a stately mien along the stouter branches, when not too 

 upright. Thus up and down the tree, they pick now 

 and then a nut, but do not appear to spend much time in 

 feeding. 



Strange as it may seem, although so large, these jays 

 are by no means conspicuous when sitting quietly on the 

 leafless branches of a large beech. The color of the bark 

 is not unlike that of the bird, and I am quite inclined to 

 believe that the birds themselves are conscious of the 

 fact. When disturbed, as by the report of a gun, I have, 

 time after time, seen them cling as closely to a broad 

 branch, as ever did a cunning gray squirrel when fright- 

 ened. So marked is this that I am tempted to ask myself 

 whether it was not possible that they had learned the 

 trick from the squirrels. Bright and showy as is their 

 plumage, these birds give evidence of knowing that under 

 certain circumstances it does not render them conspic- 

 uous, and they act accordingly. I have noticed, too, that 

 they will hide successfully in white oaks, during winter ; 

 but here they trust altogether to the clusters of leaves 

 that remain on the tree throughout the season. I have 

 seen them creep into a cluster of such leaves and remain 

 motionless, although I was very near them at the time. 

 In this case they evidently realized that no similarity of 

 color existed, and that their only protection arose from 

 cover ; hence they sought it. If I am correct, it shows 

 that the color sense is very well developed in the jays. 

 Indeed, they have all the intelligence of their cousins, the 

 crows ; and as they are driven now from their ancient 

 haunts in the thick woods, by the general destruction of 



