568 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Genus GARRULUS. 



The genus Garrulus is one of those genera which were established by 

 Brisson, and which are additional to those recognized by Linnseus. The 

 explanation of Rule 2 of the Stricklandian code asserts that they " are 

 therefore of perfectly good authority," but most illogically omits to 

 explain why the genera of other contemporaries of Linneeus, ci which are 

 additional to those in the twelfth edition " of the great naturalist's works, 

 are not of equally good authority. Linnaeus did not separate the Jays 

 from the Crows, but included both in his genus Corvus ; but Brisson had 

 established for the former in 1760 the genus Garrulus in his ' Ornitho- 

 logia/ ii. p. 46, calling the Common Jay Garrulus garrulus, thereby 

 designating it as the type. 



The Jays belong to the short-winged group of the Corvinse, in which 

 the tail is always more than three fourths of the length of the wing. 

 From the Magpies, which belong to the same group, the Jays are easily 

 distinguished by having the tail only slightly rounded and not longer 

 than the wing. The upper tail-coverts, except in some Indian species, 

 are white. The bill is stout ; and the tarsus is scutellated. The most 

 characteristic feature of the Jays is their wing-coverts, which are barred 

 with blue, black, and white. The nostrils are covered by bristly feathers. 



The true Jays are confined to the Palaearctic and Oriental Regions. 

 The genus contains about twelve species, some of which are divisible into 

 subspecies. Only one species is found in the British Islands ; but two 

 others are found in Eastern Europe, and a fourth in North Africa. 



Like the rest of the Corvinse, the Jays are almost omnivorous. They 

 principally frequent woods, where their harsh cries are heard, and where 

 they breed, though rarely at any great elevation. Their nests are com- 

 posed of twigs lined with roots ; and their eggs are greenish white with 

 brown spots and streaks. 



