54 OUR WINTEJi BIRDS 



hedgerows ; now he lives in our gardens and builds 

 his home near ours. 



Blue Jay is a shrewd, wise bird, and I believe that 

 he has taken up his abode in towns and villages not 

 because he is fond of our society, but because he is 

 safer there from attack by his natural enemies. 



However this may be, we may credit him with 

 having learned to trust us even if he does not care 

 for us. Perhaps some day he may become as friendly 

 as his cousin, the Florida Jay. 



No one will deny that, so far as appearance goes, 

 Blue Jay is a striking addition to our list of bird 

 callers. His size, beautiful costume of blue and 

 white, jaunty crest, and gay, dashing actions always 

 command our attention and admiration. He may 

 rifle a nest or two, he may visit our feeding-stand 

 more as a robber than a guest, he may awaken us 

 at an early hour by his loud cries, but he is such 

 an attractive bit of wild life, that, knowing he 

 has had only the training of Jays, we overlook his 

 faults. 



As we l)ecome more familiar with Blue Jay's 

 habits, we shall find that he has much to commend 

 him beside his fine feathers. His vocabulary is by no 

 means restricted to the loud calls which have given 

 him his name. He has also a variety of whistles, 

 some of which are really pleasing. When he is with 



