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PEECHING BIRDS. 



CHAPTER III. 



THE JAY Its powers of imitation The sportsman and the 

 jays The jay and the cat and kittens The MAGPIE Its 

 sagacity Superstitions respecting this bird Two anec- 

 dotes of tame magpies The nest of the magpie The 

 STARLING Congregates in large numbers Account of a 

 flock of starlings Starlings, rooks, and jackdaws very 

 friendly The ROSE-COLOURED PASTOR Its beauty and 

 habits. 



THE JAY is a beautiful bird; but though showy to 

 the eye, it is more frequently heard than seen, for 

 it is very shy and cautious. It frequents groves, 

 plantations, and woods ; and even in its native 

 state, is much given to imitation ; being very 

 adroit at bleating, screaming, and neighing; in 

 short, mocking all the harsher sounds. Its own 

 common note is harsh and unpleasant, but its 

 love-song is very soft, and is so low, and appa- 

 rently cautious, that it seems whispering to its 

 mate, as if to keep their affection and cares secret 

 from the other tenants of the grove. It is rarely 

 seen in the open country, except when its favourite 

 fruit, the cherries, are ripe. The chief food of the 

 jay is the acorn ; but it also eats other birds' eggs 



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