268 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



a peculiar fondness for acorns and beech-nuts, which they are 

 said to store for the winter. They frequent the woods chiefly, 

 in which they build their nests, particularly among the ever- 

 greens. They may often be seen, however, in open lands, but 

 comparatively seldom on the ground. They fly vigorously, but 

 not with the steady, monotonous beat of the Crows. They are 

 said to be amusing pets, having in confinement the gaiety and 

 roguishness natural to their tribe. I am told that they may be 

 easily caught, by being made drunk through corn dipped in 

 whiskey. Grain impregnated with poison is also used to kill 

 them. Though common in summer, they are, perhaps, most 

 abundant in autumn, when I have once or twice seen as many 

 as twenty together not far from Boston. In winter they' are 

 often scattered, but in spring they reunite, remaining in flocks 

 until May, when they separate to build, becoming less impu- 

 dent and more shy. 



(d). Their notes vary endlessly from loud, characteristic 

 screams to soft and musical whistles, though all are somewhat 

 characterized by the same tone. The Blue Jays are very noisy, 

 and possess not only the power of ventriloquism, but also that 

 of mimicry. They imitate the cries of the Sparrow Hawk, 

 and those of the " Hen Hawks," with great exactness, so that, 

 were not these sounds so often heard near houses, they might 

 easily deceive even an experienced naturalist. There is one 

 note, to which I would particularly call attention, a guttural 

 cry not unlike the sound produced by the rapping of wood- 

 peckers. This may be heard in spring especially, and is ap- 

 parently a love-note. The Jays, on uttering any sounds, are 

 obliged to gesticulate in a most ludicrous manner, unless when 

 screaming on the wing. 



III. PERISOREUS 



(A) CANADENSIS. Canada Jay. " Whiskey-Jack." 

 (A resident of northern New England and the countries 

 beyond.) 



(a). 10-11 inches long. Ashy or leaden above ; dull gray 



