THE JAY 



GARRULUS GLANDARIUS 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : " Jay-bird " 

 (Essex). 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : Still a fairly common 

 and widely distributed resident in most woodland districts, 

 but becoming more local and rarer in Scotland and Ire- 

 land. Its numbers are increased in autumn by arrivals 

 from Continental areas. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : The Jay is another gradually decreasing species, 

 yet still sparingly distributed over the Metropolitan area. 

 I have no records of this bird from the central districts, 

 from none of the parks and open spaces within the four- 

 miles radius. It is recorded as a breeding species from 

 Dulwich and Norwood, Richmond and Wimbledon ; to 

 which in Middlesex may be added Osterley, Wembley, 

 Harrow, Pinner, Ruislip Woods, Mill Hill,Stanmore, Kings- 

 bury, Enfield, and Elstree ; in Essex may be given Waltham 

 and Epping; in Kent,Dartford, the Grays, and Beckenham. 

 To the Surrey localities I can also add the Croydon, 

 Banstead, Epsom, and Esher areas. In autumn the Jay fre- 

 quently wanders far from its usual haunts. I have seen 

 it near Tooting Bee Common, to which it was doubtless 

 attracted by an unusually large crop of acorns ; whilst I 

 have met with it occasionally at Neasden, stragglers prob- 

 ably from Wembley or Hendon. It also haunts the 

 grounds at Muswell 'Hill ; and is frequently seen near 

 Rainham and Dagenham. 



The Jay, another of our prettiest birds, should also be 

 protected and encouraged in all parts of the London area ; 

 indeed, efforts should be made to introduce this beauti- 

 ful species into the large parks which contain suitable 

 cover. There is nothing to prevent it becoming a denizen 

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