274 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



This species is common throughout Ontario, and may be consid- 

 ered resident, for though the greater number migrate in the fall, a 

 few always remain and are heard squalling among the evergreens any 

 mild day in the depth of winter. 



Notwithstanding his gaudy attire, the Jay is not a favorite, which 

 is probably owing to his having many traits of character peculiar to 

 the "bad boy," being always ready for sport or spoil. He frequently 

 visits the farm-house for purposes of plunder, and when so engaged 

 works silently and diligently till his object is attained. He then 

 gets off to the woods as quickly ss possible, where he may be heard 

 chuckling to himself over his Success. 



There is a swampy spot in a clump of bush in ^est Flamboro' 

 where a colony of Blue Jays has spent the winter for several seasons, 

 and they seem to have lots of fun even in the severest weather. I 

 have occasionally called in when passing, and have found amusement 

 listening to their varied notes, issued in quite a colloquial strain. 

 Sometimes the birds are on the ground, busily gathering nuts with 

 which to replenish their storehouses, but if a scout arrives with some 

 interesting intelligence, off goes the whole troop, each individual 

 apparently knowing the object of the excursion. On the return, 

 notes are compared, and I almost fancy I hear them laugh at their 

 narrow escapes and ludicrous exploits. On such occasions I know I 

 am often the subject of remark, but if I keep quiet they do not seem 

 to object much to my presence. 



They are somewhat gregarious in their habits, and even in the 

 breeding season have a custom of going round in guerilla bands of 

 four or five, visiting the farm-house in the early morning, seeking 

 a chance to suck eggs ; and woe betide the unlucky owl whom they 

 happen to come across on any of these excursions : its peace for that 

 day is done, for the excitement is often kept up till darkness forces 

 the Jays to retire. 



PERISOREUS CANADENSIS (LINN.). 

 198. Canada Jay. (484) 



Upper parts, dull leaden-gray ; lower, dull yellowish- white ; forehead, 

 yellowish-white ; hind part of the head and neck, grayish-black ; throat and 

 band passing round the neck, grayish-white ; secondary quills and tail feathers 

 narrowly tipped with white. Young : Dull slate color, paler on the abdomen, 

 darker on the head, the white tips of the wings and tail duller than in the 

 adult. Length, 10-11 inches. 



