374 A JOURNEY TO THE 



times caught in traps built for martins. Though, on the 

 whole, they may be called a shy bird, yet their necessities in 

 Winter are so great, that, like the White Owl, they frequently 

 follow the report of a gun, keep prudently at a distance from 

 the sportsman, and frequently [405] carry off many wounded 

 birds. Their quills make most excellent pens for drawing, or 

 for ladies to write with. 

 Cinereous The CiNEREOus Crow,^ or, as it is Called by the Southern 



Indians, Whisk-e-jonish, by the English Whiskey-jack, and 

 by the Northern Indians Gee-za, but as some pronounce it, and 

 that with more propriety, Jee-za, though classed among the 

 Crows, is in reality so small, as seldom to weigh three ounces ; 

 the plumage grey, the feathers very long, soft, and silky, and 

 in general entirely unwebbed, and in some parts much resembles 

 hair. This bird is very familiar, and fond of frequenting 

 habitations, either houses or tents ; and so much given to 

 pilfering, that no kind of provisions it can come at, either 

 fresh or salt, is safe from its depredation. It is so bold as to 

 come into tents, and sit on the edge of the kettle when hang- 

 ing over the fire, and steal victuals out of the dishes. It is 

 very troublesome to the hunters, both English and Indian, 

 frequently following them a whole day ; it will perch on a 

 tree while the hunter is baiting his martin-traps, and as soon 

 as his back is turned go and eat the baits. It is a kind of 

 mock bird, and of course has a variety of notes ; it is easily 

 tamed, but never lives long in confinement. It is well known 

 to be a provident bird, laying up great quantities of berries 

 in Summer for a Winter stock ; but its natural propensity to 

 pilfer at all seasons makes it much detested both by the [406] 

 English and Indians. It builds its nest in trees, exactly like 

 that of the blackbird and thrush ; lays four blue eggs, but 

 seldom brings more than three young ones. 



[^ Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.). Very abundant throughout the region north 

 to the limit of trees. It nests in late winter, laying three or four bluish-grey 

 eggs spotted with brownish.] 



