BLUE JAY. 9Q3 



type the British Jay, becomes noted for 

 his imitative talent, which in some few 

 cultivated instances is scarcely inferior to 

 that of the Mocking-bird; and he be- 

 comes so sociable and familiar, that he 

 may be allowed to travel over the house. 

 He is equally as notorious for pilfering and 

 hiding every thing in his reach as his 

 above-mentioned kinsmen. 



In the cage, the Jay may be fed upon 

 seeds of different kinds, as canary and 

 hemp, of which latter, from its oily cha- 

 racter, he is extremely fond, and any other 

 substance, animal or vegetable. The first 

 had better be chopped fine, and the latter 

 cooked. Eggs, when given to him, must 

 be boiled hard. He is likewise partial to 

 chestnuts, acorns and maize, or Indian- 

 corn, either in a green or dry state, which 

 in the last instance, he invariably breaks 

 before swallowing. 



The Blue Jay may occasionally be ob- 

 tained of our bird-fanciers, or be reared 

 from the nests, which may always be found 



