Our Blue Jay Neighbors 



51 



The many weary hours during which the eggs had to be kept warm 

 were divided between the two birds, each reheving the other at more or less 

 regular intervals. And the bird at play did not forget its imprisoned mate, 

 but returned now and then with a choice bit of food, which was delivered 

 with various little demonstrations of sympathy and affection. 



We watched and waited patiently, and were well rewarded; for though 

 the birds kept an eye on us they let us enjoy their daily life and attended to 

 their duties in full view. The nest, built so near the top of the slender tree, 

 swayed and bent to every breeze, and as Minnesota breezes are apt to be- 



BLUE JAY 0\ GUARD AT THE NEST 



come high winds, often hung at a perilous angle, keeping the mother busy 

 balancing herself and settling her eggs. Almost every day we expected 

 to find on the ground one or more eggs that had been thrown out and 

 broken. 



Blue Jays are very numerous in Minneapolis, and their loud screams are 

 almost as familiar as the incessant chatter of the English Sparrows. They 

 are always discussing something vigorously, and using their voices fortissimo. 

 We were delighted therefore to hear low, sweet, little notes and measures, 

 and what might be called talking. They reserved their best efforts evi- 

 dently for wooing and early morning conversations, and only their intimate 

 friends overheard. 



