Jay. 245 



even finish the nest yourself." Their resolution was obdurate and 

 final, and to this day the Magpie exhibits the effects of partial 

 instruction by her miserably incomplete abode.' Whether there 

 are two species of Magpie resident among us, the one smaller in 

 bulk, and with a shorter tail, and breeding in hedges, while the 

 larger longer-tailed species breeds in trees, is one of those long- 

 disputed points which have never been satisfactorily decided. 

 The English name ' Pie ' is said by Professor Skeat to come from 

 pipere, ' to chirp ;' but the word ' pied ' is derived from the bird, 

 and means ' variegated like a Magpie/ In France it is La Pie ; 

 in Germany, Garten-Krahe, ' Garden-Crow ;' in Italy, Gazzera 

 commune ; in Portugal, Pega ; in Sweden, Skata ; in Spain, 

 Marica. 



100. JAY (Garrulus glandarius). 



This is another shy retiring bird, restless and noisy, of 

 exceeding handsome plumage, and much persecuted by game- 

 keepers for its mischievous propensities, though gardeners have 

 a better right to complain of its evil deeds, for fruit, rather than 

 young birds and eggs, form its favourite food. It is, however, 

 by no means particular whether it satisfies the cravings of 

 appetite with animal or vegetable diet : for its scientific name 

 glandarius is not distinctive, as all its congeners and several 

 other genera partake of the ' acorn ' with equal avidity with the 

 Jay. It is even a more confirmed chatterer than the magpie, 

 whence its specific name garrulus, and its note is harsh and 

 grating; but though one of the most noisy and chattering of 

 birds, as its name declares, the Jay becomes quite silent during 

 the breeding season, when its caution is extraordinary.* The 

 English name 'Jay,' the older spelling of which was 'Gay/ is 

 derived from its brightly-coloured plumage. The French name 

 Geai, and the Portuguese Gaio, are taken, as with us, from its 

 gay dress, but in Germany it is Eichel-Krahe, ( Acorn-Crow ;' in 

 Italy, Ghiandaja Comune, ' Common Acorn-Eater ;' in Sweden, 

 Not-skrika ; and in Spain, Arrandajo, and provincially Cdbezon, 



* Fourth edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds/ vol. ii., p. 324. 



