83 



THE JAY. 



(Gdrrulus glanddrius.) 



Wherever this bird is found woods and gardens ring 

 with the sound of its voice. Its usual cry sounds like 

 " Matyash " (Hungarian for the name Matthias) by 

 which name it is consequently often called in that 

 country. It is an active, restless visitor to the bushes 

 and gardens, when they are near a wood. It is not 

 dainty and its voracity is great. Nuts, filberts, acorns, 

 beechnuts, fruits, berries, but also insects from grubs up- 

 wards, grasshoppers, beetles, everything finds its way 

 into its crop. Such things as nuts and filberts, which 

 have a hardshell, it collects in crevices and holes. All 

 this is not so bad, but another of its habits is evil it is a 

 nest plunderer. Eggs, naked fledglings, half-fledged 

 young, sitting on the edge of the nest awaiting the 

 mother's return all become its prey. In order to reach 

 them it squeezes through the thick growth of the white- 

 thorn. In fact it is a shameful bird that deserves no 

 consideration. 



If caught young and kept in a cage or running about 

 the house, he is often found to be an amusing fellow, 

 even if not quite tame, and proves himself a perfect 

 master in imitating the notes of other birds. In the first 

 place he learns the noises of the domestic fowls and 

 animals. He chirps like the little chickens, crows and 

 cackles; then he howls like the dog, cries like the cat, 

 squeaks like the unoiled hinges of a door, or a cart- 

 wheel. He answers the Cock, like a cock, the goose, 

 like a goose. His usual cry is a screeching " Retch " 

 or " Key "--or when in fear " Kay " or " Kray." 



