84 TWENTIETH CENTUEY CLASSICS 



Bewick remarks of the common Jay, that he heard one so 

 exactly counterfeit the action of a saw, that though on a 

 Sunday, he could scarcely be persuaded but that some car- 

 penter was at work. Another, unfortunately, rendered 

 himself a serious nuisance by learning to hound a cur dog 

 upon the domestic cattle, whistling and calling him by 

 name, so that at length a serious accident occurring in 

 consequence, the poor Jay was proscribed. The Blue Jay 

 becomes also, like the Crow and Magpie, a very mischiev- 

 ous purloiner of everything he is capable of conveying 

 away and hiding. 



" The favorite food of this species is chestnuts, acorns, 

 and Indian corn or maize, the latter of which he breaks 

 before swallowing. He also feeds occasionally on the 

 larger insects and caterpillars, as well as orchard fruits, 

 particularly cherries, and does not even refuse the humble 

 fare of potatoes. In times of scarcity he falls upon carrion, 

 and has been known to venture into the barn, through acci- 

 dental openings; when, as if sensible of the danger of 

 purloining, he is active and silent, and if surprised, post- 

 poning his garrulity, he retreats with noiseless precipita- 

 tion, and with all the cowardice of a thief. The worst 

 trait of his appetite, however, is his relish for the eggs 

 of other birds, in quest of which he may frequently be 

 seen prowling, and with a savage cruelty he sometimes also 

 devours the callow young, spreading the plaint of sorrow 

 and alarm wherever he flits. The whole neighboring 

 community of little birds assemble at the cry of distress, 

 sometimes, however, succeeding in driving off the ruthless 

 plunderer, who, not always content with the young, has 

 been seen to attack the old, though with dubious success; 



