30 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



crest, and bright blue in wing-coverts identify it at once at close 

 quarters. Weak flight and rounded wings characteristic at distance 

 in open ; in close woods pure white rump usually very noticeable, 

 as is harsh scream, " schach." 



BREEDING-HABITS. Nest. In woods and plantations, generally in 

 undergrowth and not as a rule high, though exceptionally 60 ft. 

 from ground ; outcrop from trunk of big tree also a favourite 

 site ; exceptionally in tall ling, close to ground. Eggs. Generally 

 5 or 6, less often 7 ; resemble those of other races, and cannot be 

 distinguished with certainty. Rare variety almost pink with pale 

 brownish spots, and another almost unmarked with bluish-green 

 ground. Average of 100 eggs, 31.7 X 22.8 mm. Breeding-season. 

 Begins about last week April in south and early May in north Eng- 

 land. Incubation. Lasts probably about sixteen days. One brood. 



FOOD. Much as Continental Jay, but slugs, snails, and occasionally 

 fruit (apples, plums, and cherries) recorded in addition. 



DISTRIBUTION. Confined to Great Britain. England and Wales. 

 Resident. Generally distributed ; locally abundant. Not found 

 Isle of Man. Scotland. Resident. Very local. Decreased in 

 numbers but apparently extending northwards. Very rare north 

 of Great Glen and not found Sutherland, Caithness, north-west 

 Highlands, Hebrides, or Orkneys. Recorded Shetlands, but this 

 may have been the Continental form. Ireland. Replaced by 

 Garrulus glandarius hibernicus, but may occur casually. 



ii. Garrulus glandarius hibernicus With. & Hart. THE 

 IRISH JAY. 



GARRULUS GLANDARIUS HIBERNICUS Witherby and Hartert, Brit. B., iv, 

 p. 234 (1911 Ireland. Type, co. Wexford). 



DESCRIPTION. Like British Jay but sides of head, ear-coverts, 

 breast, and flanks darker and more rufous ; nape, mantle, and 

 scapulars also darker and richer rufous-pink ; fore-head and 

 crown usually darker with broader black streaks ; back of crown 

 and nape usually considerably more tinged blue. 



Measurements. About same as in British Jay. <$ wing 

 170-187, tail 140-152, tarsus 40-44, bill from skull 28-32 (12 

 measured). $ wing 172-184. 



BREEDING-HABITS. Resemble those of British Jay, except that 

 clutch is usually smaller, consisting of 4, or less commonly 5, eggs. 

 Average size of 4 eggs (May llth, co. Waterford) 31.7 X 23.5 mm. 



DISTRIBUTION. Confined to Ireland. Resident in parts of fol- 

 lowing counties : Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford, 

 Carlow, Queen's, King's, Kildare, Galway, and irregularly in Cork, 

 Westmeath, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, and Louth ; recently spread 

 into Fermanagh and Cavan. 



