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ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 



related by Wilson, on what he considered respectable 

 authority. His informant stated that he had observed 

 one of these birds dash down upon the ground and 

 seize a mouse, which he carried to a fence-post, where, 

 after examining it for some time, he left it; but soon 

 after pounced upon another, which he instantly carried 

 oft' to his nest. Curious to ascertain the reason of this 

 proceeding, the observer went and picked up the first 

 mouse, and found it covered with vermin and greatly 

 emaciated, to which circumstances he attributed the 

 neglect it had experienced. 



The note of this bird is so exactly imitated by the 

 Blue Jay as to deceive even those acquainted with 

 them both; and, whether through fear or fascination, 

 the Falcon no sooner makes his appearance in their 

 neighbourhood, than the jays swarm around him, and 

 commence insulting him with their imitative cries. In 

 return for this, as might naturally be expected, they 

 fall frequent victims to his appetite. 



