BIRDS IN A VILLAGE 23 



just as it is more distressing to see a skylark than a 

 finch in prison, because the lark has an irresistible 

 impulse to rise when his singing fit is on. Sing 

 he must, in or out of prison, yet there can be little 

 joy in the performance when the bird is incessantly 

 teased with the unsatisfied desire to mount and pour 

 out his music at heaven's gate* 



Out of cages, jays make charming and beautiful 

 pets, and some who have kept them have assured 

 me that they are not mischievous birds* The late 

 Mark Melford, one time when I visited him, had two 

 jays, handsome birds in bright glossy plumage, 

 always free to roam where they liked, indoors or 

 out* We were sitting talking in his garden when one 

 of the jays came flying to us and perched on a wooden 

 ledge a few feet from and above our heads, and 

 after sitting quietly for a little while he suddenly 

 made a dash at my head, just brushing it with his 

 wings, then returned to his perch. At intervals of 

 a few moments he repeated this action, and when I 

 remarked that he probably resented the presence 

 of a stranger, Melford exclaimed, " Oh, no, he wants 

 to play with you, that's all/' 



His manner of playing was rather startling : so 

 long as I kept my eyes on him he remained motion- 

 less, but the instant my attention wandered, or when 

 in speaking I looked at my companion, the sudden 

 violent dash at my head would be made* 



