STARLINGS AND CROWS 



1 89 



for birds breeding in liolcs to lay such 

 highly coloured eggs, and the fact that 

 the Jackdaw does so is accounted lor 

 by the supposition that it is in a 

 transition stage so far as nidification is 



JACKDAW. 



concerned, a suggestion which is sup- 

 ported by the fact that both domed 

 and open nests built in trees by this 

 species have been found. 



The Jay, with erectile crest, black 

 moustaches, pale vinous brown body 

 feathers, black and white wings, and black 

 tail, is more strictly a bird of the woods 

 than any other representative of the Crow 

 family. It seldom shows itself in the open, 

 and as infrequently allows a sufficiently 

 near approach for the beauty of its lovely 

 black-barred, azure blue wing patch to 

 be duly admired. At the slightest alarm, 

 with or without a harsh scream, it hurries 

 off with wavy flight, exposing to \-iew 

 meanwhile the white rumj) and uj)per 



tail coverts which may act as a Hag to 

 be followed by all the less wideawake 

 Jays in the neighliourhood. 



Jays are very inquisiti\x', and by 

 trading upon this very human trait 

 in their characters, these handsome 

 but wary birds may easily be studied at 

 close quarters. A kitten (the lighter 

 in colour it is the better) should be 

 taken into their plantation home, tied 

 up in a clear place under the trees and 

 there left ; the observer should then con- 

 ceal himself amongst the surrounding 

 brushwood and watch for developments. 

 When pussie begins to mew for company, 

 the Jays will soon arrive to inspect and 

 talk over the little stranger, showing 

 themselves off meanwhile to great 

 advantage. 



Inimical as the Crow l)irds doubtless 

 are to the interests of gamekeepers for a 

 month or two in the year, the\' also act 

 as useful alarums when other poachers, 

 biped or quadruped, are on the prowl. 



YOUNG JACKDAW. 



Thus the alert and garrulous Jays are all 

 on the chatter so soon as the preserves, 

 which they inhabit on sufferance, are 

 invaded by strangers in daylight, whilst 

 the restless Rooks are sure to give noisy 

 notice of trespassers by night in the coverts 

 where they roost. 



Malkri: <". H. I'.iKU. 



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