THE JAY. 27 



ably daring and adventurous, and consequently, many 

 of them become the prey of watchful gardeners. 



When the snows of winter have fairly set in, and 

 acorns cannot be found among the fallen leaves of the 

 woods, the jay may be noticed flitting from hedge to 

 hedge in the neighbourhood of pea and bean stacks, and 

 clinging to their sides in quest of uncovered pods. 



When spring returns, the lover of natural scenery, 

 and of the living objects by which it is adorned, may 

 sometimes hear a profusion of imitative notes, now 

 hoarse and sonorous, now lowered and subdued, and 

 composed of modulations almost approaching to those 

 of song. They are emitted by a small party of jays, 

 that assemble merrily before they depart in pairs, to 

 choose a place for building their nests and hatching 

 their young. It is only at this time that they appear 

 disposed to be social : at other times the jay is a soli- 

 tary wandering bird, and does not allow its young to 

 associate with it, after they are able to provide for 

 themselves. 



