164 American Birds 



Early in the season these same birds were blustering, 

 bragging, and full of noise. When I found the nest one 

 of the birds was at home. She didn't move till I shook 

 the tree; then she slid off silently and went for her mate. 

 In another minute they were both there, not threatening 

 and swearing, as I had expected. It was pitiful to see 

 how meek and confiding they had become. There was 

 not a single harsh word. They had lost even the blue jay 

 tongue, and talked like two chippies in love. They had 

 a peculiar little note like the mewing of a pussy-cat. I 

 felt ashamed to touch the home of such a gentle pair. 



If this was not a twofold bird character, I never ex- 

 pect to see one. They go sneaking through the woods, 

 stealing eggs and wrecking homes of others, and squeal- 

 ing in delight at every chance to pillage — ^but this is legiti- 

 mate in the blue jay code of morals. I have often won- 

 dered whether jays plunder other jays, or whether there 

 is honor among bird thieves. There are robber barons 

 among birds as among men. But doves could not be more 

 gentle and loving about the home, for the jays were de- 

 voted parents. 



If this pair of jays carried on their nest robbing, they 

 did it on the quiet away from home, for in the thicket, and 

 only a few yards away, I found a robin's nest with eggs, 

 and the nest of a thrush with young birds. Perhaps the 

 jays wanted to stand well with their neighbors and live 

 in peace. I am sure if the robins had thought the jays 

 were up to mischief, they would have hustled them out 

 of the thicket. I think we give both the crow and the jay 

 more blame for nest robbing than they deserve, for inves- 

 tigation shows that they eat many insects, and in some 



