THE CROW TRIBE 1491 



than the head; the nostrils are placed at the base of the beak, and are hidden by 

 stiff, forwardly-directed feathers; while the feathers of the crown of the head are 

 long and erectile. The majority of the species have white upper tail coverts, and 

 the wings barred with light blue; the general color of the body plumage being fawn 

 red. Chiefly frequenting woods, where their presence is revealed by their harsh, 

 discordant cries, jays are omnivorous, living on almost every description of animal 

 and vegetable substance, but changing their diet according to the season. 



The true jays of the genus Garrulus are principally inhabitants of 

 the northern and temperate regions of the Old World, although one 

 species is found in Burma, a second is peculiar to Algeria, and a third is confined to 

 Japan. The common European jay (G. glandarius} ranges throughout Europe 

 from Northern Russia and Scandinavia to Spain and Italy; but is replaced in Asia 

 Minor by the black-headed jay (G. kynicki); while in Eastern Russia its place is 

 taken by Brandt's jay {G. brandti}, and in Syria by G. syriacus. Shunning open 

 country, the jay frequents large woods, where it often nests at only a moderate 

 elevation above the ground, laying usually six eggs, of a grayish-white color 

 speckled with brown. Although a shy bird, never dwelling in the open country and 

 seldom seen on the ground, the jay is thoroughly arboreal in its habits; and as its 

 name implies, is especially fond of acorns and other forest fruits. Nevertheless, 

 when dwelling in woods bordering gardens, it is frequently tempted forth during the 

 fruit season to plunder the latter. Not content, however, with the vegetable diet, 

 the jay rifles and destroys the nests of the smaller birds, consuming both eggs and 

 callow young alike; while it also destroys a considerable number of pheasants' eggs 

 and chickens. In consequence of these thieving propensities, the jay is most 

 cordially detested by the gamekeeper, who seizes every opportunity for shooting it; 

 and in many districts of England, owing to such persecution, these handsome birds 

 have become scarce. 



The jay flies with an undulating and somewhat heavy motion, accompanied by 

 much flapping of the wings, and generally takes only short flights from tree to tree, 

 although when on migration it can fly for long distances. Unlike the preceding 

 members of the family, when on the ground, the jay progresses by hopping instead 

 of by walking. In its movements, when perching, it is lively and apparently self- 

 conscious, the head being continually turned from side to side, the crest alternately 

 raised and depressed, and the wings and tail in motion. 



A characteristic bird of the most northern parts of the Old World 

 is the Siberian jay (Perisoreus infaustus), distinguished by the posses- 

 sion of a soft fluffy plumage, well adapted to protect its owner from the rigor of an 

 Arctic winter. The adult bird has the crown and nape sooty brown, gradually 

 fading in tinge as it joins the color of the back; the upper parts being dull lead 

 gray, washed with reddish brown, and the rump and tail bright foxy red, excepting 

 the two central tail feathers. The chin, throat, and breast are gray, while the 

 under parts and flanks are bright rufous. The Siberian jay breeds early in the year, 

 building its nest close to the stem of a pine or fir tree, and forming it principally of 

 gray lichens closely interwoven with dry fir twigs, a few of its own feathers and 

 those of the ptarmigan being inserted here and there, as also stalks of dry grass. 



