500 



berries; but it also eats caterpillars and insects. It replaces the Common Jay (Oarrulus 

 glandarius) in Algeria, this latter never occurring there. Like the Common Jay this species 

 is quick and brusque in its movements, and has a harsh and disagreeable cry, which it often 

 repeats to call other individuals of its own species when danger threatens ; and all the other 

 Jays immediately respond and try to drive off the common enemy, uttering loud cries. Its 

 antipathy to the Wood-Owl is extreme, and can be made use of to trap it ; but it is not bold, 

 except by necessity. Though as inquisitive as the Magpie, it is neither as cautious nor as clever 

 as the latter, but impatient and passionate ; it thrives well in captivity, and soon leams to talk 

 and sing, besides accommodating itself to almost any sort of food. 



" It nests on high trees — the nest being composed of small twigs interlaced with roots, and 

 lined with some soft material. The eggs, four to five in number, are grey, with a greenish 

 tinge, covered with numerous small spots of a reddish brown colour, .collected chiefly at the 

 larger end, and measuring from 32 to 33 millimetres by 22 to 23 millimetres." With regard 

 to what Loche writes as to the non-occurrence of Garrulus glandarius in Algeria, I may refer to 

 our article on that species, in which we state that Garrulus minor, Verr., from Algeria is nothing 

 but our Common Jay, and may add that in a letter lately received from M. Jules Verreaux, he 

 himself states that his Garrulus minor is but a small race of Garrulus glandarius, differing merely 

 in size. 



It is scarcely probable that this Jay has ever been met with on the northern side of the 

 Mediterranean. Baron de Selys Longchamps (Ibis, 1870, p. 451) refers to a specimen in the 

 well-known collection of Count Ercole Turati, at Milan, which was given to that gentlemen as 

 coming from Spain ; but further particulars respecting the authenticity of this bird as a European- 

 killed specimen appear to be wanting. 



The adult bird figured and described is in the collection of Captain H. J. Elwes, and the 

 young bird in my own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, 6 juv. El Djerid, Algeria (Fairmaire). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a, 6,b, ? . Boghar Forest, May 30th, 1856 {H. B. T.) . 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 

 a, cj. Kef Laks, Algeria, April 24th, 1857 (0. Salvin). 



E Mus. H. J. Elwes. 

 a, $ ad. Northern Africa ( Verreaux) . 



