i>() LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



afterwards, not a single individual was to be seen in the 

 vicinage. 



The song of the Bine Jay exhibits a variety, beauty, and 

 harmony, \vhichare truly creditable. Among singing-birds, 

 . h has been likened, by Wilson, to the trumpeter of the 

 band. His notes are varied to an almost infinite extent. At 

 one time he screams with all his power, then rivals the soft- 

 ness and modulation of the Bluebird's tones, and anon shocks 

 the ear with a harshness unutterable. 



Its power of mimicry, which differs from that of Mini us 

 polyglot t us, is hardly excelled by that of the latter. It es- 

 pecially delights t;> mimic the cries of the Sparrow- Hawk, 

 and its imitation of those of Bute:) bore.il is and /?. Jineattts 

 are so accurate, that the small birds seek their coverts, and 

 the poultry are thrown into the greatest consternation. 

 When reared from the nest, these birds become exceedingly 

 tame and docile. They make interesting pets, and in course 

 of time, learn to simulate every sound they hear, not except- 

 ing the human voice. Wilson mentions an individual that had 



O 



been reared by a South Carolinian, which showed remark- 

 able intelligence, and possessed nearly the loquacity of some 

 of the Psittacidcc . It coidd pronounce several words with 

 remarkable distinctness, and would respond to its name 

 when called, in a highly sociable manner. The Blue Jay. 

 we are informed by experienced bird-fanciers, is the most in- 

 genious, artful, and teachable species, which they have 

 ever had under instruction. 



The flight of this species, in its accustomed haunts, is 

 mostly low, firm, and but slightly elevated and protracted. 

 When disturbed, it makes frequent short flights from tree 

 to tree, until beyond the reach of danger. 



During the winter, these birds are mostly met in pairs, 

 male and female together, In this latitude, they are never 

 gregarious. Mating begins early in April, but never later 

 than the i^th. But a few davs elapse, and nidification is 

 entered into with commendable /eal. For this purpose, a 



