338 THE JAY. 



also been disturbed by the uproar, I hastened out of doors, to 

 see what could possibly be the matter; when truly a very 

 strange sight met our eyes, for in the direction whence the 

 noise proceeded, what to our extreme astonishment should 

 we see, but an immense number of congregated crows and 

 magpies, bearing away high in the air the old torn cat ! 

 What with the piercing shrieks of poor Grimalkin, and the 

 chattering and croaking of the infuriated birds, the concert 

 was most discordant. 



" But we were unfortunately the cause of spoiling sport ; 

 for so soon as the birds were aware of our presence, and just 

 as they were soaring over the river, they let go their hold of 

 their victim, who, purling over and over, fell at length souse 

 into the water. From hence, however, though dripping wet 

 and terribly alarmed, he contrived at length to extricate him- 

 self ; his enemies the while dispersing in the air, with con- 

 tinuous cries, as if joyful over their victory." 



The Jay (Not-Skrika, Sw. ; Garrulus glandarius, Flem.) 

 was very common with us, as also throughout the greater 

 part of Scandinavia. According to Swedish naturalists, 

 however, it is not found within the polar circle. It is very 

 common in Denmark. Though of wandering habits, it does 

 not migrate. 



If reared from a tender age, we are told, the jay becomes 

 very tame. When in confinement, it especially the male 

 imitates the notes of other birds ; it, besides, mews like a 

 cat, and neighs as a horse, and from its docility and comical 

 ways is, in short, very amusing. 



The Laf-Skrika (G. infaustus, Linn.) is common in 

 the more northern parts of Scandinavia, to far within the 

 polar circle, as high up indeed as the pine-tree grows. 



