﻿Beneficial to Agriculture. 45. 



wariness, to hold its own, and it may be reckoned a common 

 woodland bird, and on the increase during the last three or four 

 years. It is widely distributed throughout England, Wales and 

 Scotland, but in Ireland it is decidedly local, occurring only in the 

 south and east. 



From a farmer's point of view this handsome bird may be 

 classed as beneficial, owing to the large numbers of insects it 

 destroys, and to this fare can be added mice of different kinds 

 which are harmful to crops, and in the autumn and winter berries, 

 acorns, and beechmast. Upon examination the gizzards have been 

 found to contain slugs and worms. 



As an egg stealer the Jay has a bad name, but no doubt large 

 numbers of eggs of both wood-pigeons and turtle-doves are among 

 the species destroyed, which helps considerably to keep down 

 these two destructive birds. The Jay is a resident in Britain, but 

 occasionally large numbers arrive on our eastern coasts in 

 autumn. After the breeding season Jays keep together in family 

 parties, and take daily rounds through the woodlands. Nesting is 

 often commenced early in the season. The nest is usually placed 

 between 10 feet and 20 feet from the ground, and well concealed in 

 some thick bush, often a thorn tree or other dense growth. It is 

 strongly built of twigs externally, which are neatly interwoven 

 internally into a deep cup-shaped centre lined with fine roots,. 

 grass and hair. The eggs number from five to seven, and very 

 closely resemble normal eggs of the blackbird, except in being a 

 very little larger. They are pale greenish-grey, densely mottled 

 with light olive-brown, one or two fine black hair-lines frequently 

 occurring on the larger end. 



The adult bird has a crest of white feathers, tipped and streaked 

 with black, covering the crown ; nape and back vinous-brown ; 

 rump white ; tail black, with the outer pair of feathers brown ; the 

 primary feathers black edged with white ; secondaries deep rich 

 black with large white basal patches, the innermost feather 

 chestnut ; wing-coverts alternately barred with black, white and 

 bright silvery-blue ; a black moustachial streak from the base of 

 the bill; throat pale buff; under-parts buffish-white, blending into 

 rufous on the flanks ; bill brown ; iris light blue ; legs and feet 

 brown. The sexes are similar. 



