PERCHING BIRDS. 143 



some of their neighbours. Indeed, in their general 

 habits they are very similar to their American cousins, 

 described so inimitably by Alexander Wilson. 



Jays seldom congregate in larger numbers than the 

 brood of the year, these small parties of five or six 

 generally associating together through the winter, and 

 dispersing in the spring. Their flight is not extended 

 far, and is of a broken, undulatory character, as they 

 pass from tree to tree, or from one plantation to another. 

 A high hedge or bush is generally chosen for the nest, 

 which is constructed of dried sticks, the base being of 

 larger ones, supporting a shallow cup, which is loosely 

 woven of small twigs, and lined with fibrous roots. I 

 once took one containing four eggs from the extreme 

 top of a tall beech tree, at least fifty or sixty feet 

 high ; this was entirely made of dead birch twigs, with 

 the exception of the lining of roots, and was much more 

 neatly put together than usual. The late Mr. Waterton 

 remarked that "the nest of the jay is never seen near 

 the tops of trees;" the instance I have mentioned was 

 certainly an exception to this rule, if it is one, which I 

 greatly doubt. 



The Woodpeckers are peculiarly inhabitants of the 

 forest, and that handsome species the Green Woodpecker 

 (Picus viridis), is very abundant, our old decaying 

 oaks being a favourite resort, and furnishing them with 

 an ample supply of food. The light, sandy forest soil is 

 greatly frequented by ants, and here you are sure to 

 meet with the green woodpecker. It is a shy species, 

 and its white eye wears a peculiarly wild expression, 

 while its singular cry, heard in the depths of the woods, 

 has something very unearthly and startling about it. It 

 is generally uttered while it is on the wing, making its 



