130 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



in spring, as do all the crows, jays, and magpies, 

 to some extent. 



Young jays are easily brought up from the nest, 

 and soon become very tame. In confinement they 

 appear to prefer meat to any other kind of food. 

 They are very amusing, from the ease with which 

 they imitate almost any sound they are accustomed 

 to hear. These imitations are so exact as to 

 deceive not only men but animals. I was once 

 visiting in a house where there was a jay, who 

 entertained us highly with the tricks he played 

 on an unfortunate cat with a litter of young 

 kittens. ISo sooner had poor puss, after perform- 

 ing her maternal duties, left her charge and 

 retired for a short time to rest and refresh herself, 

 than the mischievous jay would commence a 

 piteous outcry, in exact imitation of the cries of a 

 family of kittens, in the last extremity of distress. 

 In a few seconds, the anxious mother would rush 

 in from the garden, or bolt down the stairs, from 

 some upper room, full of eager alarm. On reach- 

 ing the basket, and rinding her progeny sleeping 

 in sweet security, she would turn round, with an 

 air of vexation, and retire slowly ; the jay, with 

 his head knowingly set sideways, and his eye 

 keenly watching her, probably meditating a re- 

 newal of the fun so soon as occasion should 

 serve. 



