MAGPIE AND JAY 53 



Both species, though suffering persecution at the hand of the 

 gamekeeper, are at least indebted to him for making equal havoc in 

 the ranks of their enemies, the hawks, from whom they find it no 

 easy matter to escape, when pounced upon away from cover, owing to 

 their comparatively weak powers of flight. Naumann, supported by 

 Brehm, goes so far as to say that the jays' fear of hawks accounts for 

 the hesitation they show in quitting cover, for their habit of flying 

 across open ground either alone, or, one after the other, at intervals, 

 and also for the alacrity with which they will drop into any bush that 

 presents itself in their course. It is certainly true that they may 

 frequently be seen flying at intervals in ones or twos, and they 

 migrate in the same manner, but it is not clear how this particular 

 formation is of help to them. Perhaps it is merely due to the 

 relative timidity of the individual birds, some plucking up courage 

 to make a start while the others are still hesitating. 



It is generally believed that the magpie and jay, like the other 

 Corvidee, pair for life, this belief finding support in the fact that the 

 species are frequently seen in couples throughout the year, even 

 when in flocks. How far they resemble their congeners in the 

 nature of the sexual displays they indulge in does not appear to be 

 known. 1 This is all the more unfortunate, as they present at least 

 one very interesting feature, the so-called spring assemblies. These 

 are alluded to by Darwin in his Descent of Man. Writing of the 

 magpies in Delamere Forest, he states that early in the spring at 

 particular spots they have been seen in flocks " chattering, sometimes 

 fighting, bustling and flying about the trees," and that they left these 

 meetings paired for the season. Waterton and others have noted 

 similar noisy gatherings in the case of the jays. These, according to 

 Mr. W. H. Hudson, are to be witnessed on fine days in March and 

 April in any woods where the birds are common and not shy. There 

 " they scream in concert while madly pursuing one another over the 



1 Since this chapter was written, an interesting note on the nuptial displays and ceremonies 

 of the magpie appeared in British Birds, Hi. 10, p. 334 (F. J. Stubbs). The birds are described 

 as erecting the head-feathers, fanning the gorgeous tail, and puffing out the white feathers 

 on the flanks and shoulders, thus displaying their attractions to the best advantage. 



