82 . TWENTIETH CENTURY CLASSICS 



of this handsome, conspicuous bird, of questionable char- 

 acter, wherein he says: 



" The Blue Jay is a constant inhabitant both of the 

 wooded wilderness and the vicinity of the settled farm, 

 though more familiar at the approach of winter and early 

 in spring than at any other season. These wanderings or 

 limited migrations are induced by necessity alone; his 

 hoards of grain, nuts and acorns either have failed or are 

 forgotten; for, like other misers, he is more assiduous 

 to amass than to expend or enjoy his stores, and the fruits 

 of his labors very frequently devolve to the rats or squir- 

 rels, or accidentally assist in the replanting of the forest. 

 His visits at this time are not unfrequent in the garden 

 and orchard, and his usual petulant address of " Djay, 

 jay, jay," and other harsh and trumpeting articulations, 

 soon make his retreat known to all in the neighborhood. 

 So habitual is this sentinel cry of alarm, and so expressive, 

 that all the birds within call, as well as other wild ani- 

 mals, are instantly on the alert, so that the fowler and 

 hunter become generally disappointed of their game by this 

 his garrulous and noisy propensity; he is, therefore, for 

 his petulance, frequently killed without pity or profit, for 

 his flesh, though eaten, has little to recommend it. His 

 more complaisant notes, when undisturbed, though gut- 

 tural and echoing, are by no means unpleasant, and fall in 

 harmoniously with the cadence of the feathered choristers 

 around him, so as to form a finishing part to the general 

 music of the grove. His accents of blandishment, when 

 influenced by the softer passions, are low and musical, so 

 as to be scarcely heard beyond the thick branches where he 

 sits concealed ; but, as soon as discovered, he bursts out into 



