THE JAY. 109 



from the want of ruined edifices, they often build their nests in 

 chimneys. In the grate below one of these nests, which had not 

 been used for some time, a fire was lighted; the materials of the nest 

 caught fire, and they were in such quantity, that it was with great 

 difficulty the house could be preserved from the flames. 



These birds feed principally on worms, and the grubs of insects ; 

 but I was once witness to a very singular deviation from their usual 

 mode in this respect. I was walking with a friend in the Inner 

 Temple garden, about the middle of May, 1802, when we observed a 

 Jackdaw hovering, in a very unusual manner, over the Thames. A 

 small barrel was floating near the place, a buoy to a net that some 

 fishermen were hauling ; and we at first thought the bird was about 

 to alight upon it. This, however, proved a mistake ; for he descended 

 to the surface of the water, and fluttered for a few seconds with his 

 bill and feet immersed : he then rose, flew to a little distance, ar d 

 again did the same : after which he made a short circuit, and alighted 

 on a barge, about fifty yards from the garden, where he devoured a 

 small fish. When this was done, he made a third attempt, caught 

 another, and flew oft' with it in his mouth. 



Jackdaws are easily tamed ; and may, with a little difficulty, be 

 taught to pronounce several words. They conceal such parts of 

 their food as they cannot eat ; and often along with it, small pieces of 

 money or toys, frequently occasioning, for the moment, suspicions of 

 theft in persons who are innocent. They may be fed on insects, fruit, 

 grain, and small pieces of meat. 



In Switzerland there is found a variety of Jackdaws which has a 

 white ring round its neck. In Norway, and other cold countries, 

 Jackdaws have been seen entirely white. 



THE JAY. 



This beautiful bird is well known in our woods ; it builds, in trees, 

 an artless nest, of sticks, fibres, and twigs, in 

 which it lays five or six eggs. Its delicate 

 cinnamon-colored back and breast, with 

 blue wing coverts, barred with black and 

 white, render it one of the most elegant 

 birds produced in this country. Its bill is 

 black, and chin white ; and, on its forehead, 

 there is a beautiful tuft of white feathers, 

 streaked with black, which it has the power 

 >f erecting at pleasure. Its voice is harsh, 

 grating, and unpleasant. 



When kept in a domestic state, the Jay THE JAY. 



may be rendered familiar, and it will catch 



and repeat a variety of sounds. One of these birds has been heard to 

 imitate so exactly the noise made by the action of a saw, as to induce 

 passengers to suppose that a carpenter was at work in the house. 



A Jay kept by a person in the north of England, had learned at 



