382 



HABITS OF THE JAY. 



Although distributed with tolerable regularity over the greater part of Eugiaud, it is 

 nowhere plentiful, seeming instinctively to seek some home far removed from those of its 

 own species. The localities which it best loves are thick woods and plantations, 

 particularly those where heavily foliaged trees are found. Sometimes, however, it is not 

 so careful, and I have seen it near Oxford, flitting about the topmost branches of the trees 

 in the early morning, and pecking at the beech mast with perfect unconcern, even 



though within a few hundred 

 yards of houses. In general, 

 however, the Jay is seldom seen, 

 as it is much afraid of human 

 beings, and conceals itself in the 

 thickest covert on the slightest 

 alarm. 



The ordinary note of the Jay 

 is a rather soft cry, but the biixl is 

 a most adroit imitator of various 

 sounds, particularly those of a 

 harsh character. It has one espe- 

 cial harsh scream, which is its 

 note of alarm, and serves to set 

 on the alert not only its own 

 kind, but every other bird that 

 happens to be within hearing. 

 The sportsman is often baffled in 

 his endeavours to get a shot at 

 his game by tlie mingled curiosity 

 and timidity of the Jay, whicli 

 cannot hear a strange rustling or 

 see an unaccustomed object with- 

 out sneaking silently up to inspect 

 it, and is so terribly frightened at 

 the sight of a man, a dog, and a 

 gun, that it dashes off in alarm, 

 uttering its loud "squawk," which 

 indicates to every bird and beast 

 that danger is abroad. In cap- 

 tivity the Jay soon learns to talk, 

 and even when caged displays 

 its imitative powers with con- 

 siderable success, mocking the 

 bleating of sheep, the cackling of 

 poultry, the grunting of pigs, and 

 even the neighing of horses with 

 wonderful truth. 



The Jay, like all the crow 

 tribe, will eat animal or vegetable 

 substances with equal zest, and 

 will plunder the hoards of small 

 quadrupeds or swallow the owner 

 with perfect impartiality. Young birds are a favourite food of the Jay, which is wonder- 

 fully clever at discovering nests and devouring the fledglings. Occasionally it even feeds 

 upon birds, and has been seen to catch a full-grown thrush. Eggs also are great dainties 

 with this bii'd, particularly those of pheasants and partridges, so that it is ranked among 

 the " vermin " by all gamekeepers or owners of preserves. So fond is it of eggs, that it 

 can almost invariably be enticed into a trap by means of an egg or two placed as bait, 

 and it is a curious fact that the Jay does not seem to be aware of the right season 



'iSfj^>^ 



JAY. — Gdrrwltts •glanMriixs. 



