IMITATION AND MIMICRY. 323 



We have elsewhere taken notice of some interesting 

 peculiarities in the American blue-jay* (Garrulus 

 crislatus, BRISSON), and shall now advert to what 

 is said of its powers of imitation and mimicry. 

 " In the charming season of spring," says Wilson, 

 " when every thicket pours forth harmony, the part 

 performed by the jay always catches the ear. He 

 appears to be, among his fellow-musicians, what the 

 trumpeter is in a band, some of his notes having no 

 distant resemblance to the tones of that instrument. 

 Thus he has the faculty of changing through a great 

 variety of modulations, according to the particular 

 humour he happens to be in. When disposed for 

 ridicule, there is scarce a bird whose peculiarities 

 of song he cannot tune his notes to. When engaged 

 in the blandishments of love, they resemble the soft 

 chatterings of a duck, and while he nestles among 

 the thick branches of the cedar, are scarce heard at a 

 few paces distance ; but no sooner does he discover 

 your approach, than he sets up a sudden and vehe- 

 ment cry, flying off, and screaming with all his 

 might, as if he called the whole feathered tribes of 

 the neighbourhood to witness some outrageous usage 

 he had received. When he hops undisturbed among 

 the high branches of the oak and hickory, they 

 become soft and musical ; and his calls of the female 

 a stranger would readily mistake for the repeated 

 creakings of an ungreased wheelbarrow. All these 

 he accompanies with various nods, jerks, and other 

 gesticulations, for which the whole tribe of jays are 

 so remarkable. 



" He is not only bold and vociferous, but possesses 

 a considerable talent for mimicry, and seems to enjoy 

 great satisfaction in mocking and teasing other birds, 

 particularly the little hawk (Falco sparverius), 

 imitating his cry wherever he sees him, and squeal- 

 ing out as if caught ; this soon brings a number of 

 # Archit, of Birds, Chap, on Basket Makers. 



