OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 27 
THE BLUE dA t. 
The Jay he sings a scanty lay, 
As boy who would a fiddle play, 
Strikes one bar from tuneful harp 
Then screeches into discord sharp. 
Though boys to task again can turn, 
The bird, alas! may never learn. 
Creator placed within his throat 
A song that is a single note. 
Yet sweet this mellow minor chord, 
Prelude, perhaps it pleased the Lord, 
To song reserved for other shore 
Now vaguely hinted—nothing more. 
When she had finished, she said: “ We have stil] 
a little time for the questions, which will help us to see 
how much we have learned.” 
QUESTIONS. 
Have you ever watched Jays build a nest? 
Where do they build? 
What kind of nest do they build? 
Do you think a Jay as handsome as an Oriole? 
Does he migrate? 
Have you ever heard how he helps to plant forests? 
Is it not possible that he planted some of our 
Arbor Day trees? 
What can you say of his singing? 
Is he a good neighbor to other birds? 
Is he a friend to the farmer? 
Is he honest? 
Is he peaceable? 
What is the best thing you have read about him? 
