ALEXANDER WILSON. 4? 



the attack. But this ludicrous farce often termi- 

 nates tragically. The hawk, singling out one of the 

 most insolent and provoking, sweeps upon him in 

 an unguarded moment, and offers him up a sacri- 

 fice to his hunger and resentment. In an instant 

 the tune is changed ; all their buffoonery vanishes, 

 and loud and incessant screams proclaim their dis- 

 aster. 



" Wherever the jay has had the advantage of 

 education from man, he has not only shewn himself 

 an apt scholar, but his suavity of manners seems 

 equalled only by his art and contrivances ; though 

 it must be confessed, that his itch for thieving keeps 

 pace with all his other acquirements. Dr. Mease, 

 on the authority of Colonel Postell, of South Caro- 

 lina, informs me, that a blue jay which was brought 

 up in the family of the latter gentleman, had all 

 the tricks and loquacity of a parrot ; pilfered every 

 thing he could conveniently carry off, and hid them 

 in holes and crevices ; answered to his name with 

 great sociability, when called on; could articulate 

 a number of words pretty distinctly ; and, when he 

 heard any uncommon noise, or loud talking, seemed 

 impatient to contribute his share to the general 

 festivity (as he probably thought it) by a display of 

 all the oratorical powers he was possessed of." 



From the great popularity of the Work, it was 

 soon found necessary to increase the number of 

 the early volumes from two to five hundred copies, 

 with which the second volume started in 1810, 



