EARLY SPRING IN SAVERNAKE FOREST 229 



variety of notes, some of the modulations 

 approaching almost to a song." 



The truth of the statement I have made, 

 that most of our writers on birds have strictly 

 followed Montagu in his account of the jay's 

 habits, unmistakably shows itself in all they say 

 about the bird's language. Montagu wrote in 

 his famous Dictionary of Birds (1802) :- — 



" Its common notes are various, but harsh ; 

 will sometimes in spring utter a sort of song in a 

 soft and pleasing manner, but so low as not to be 

 heard at any distance ; and at intervals introduce 

 the bleatings of a Lamb, mewing of a Cat, the 

 note of a Kite or Buzzard, hooting of an Owl, 

 and even the neighing of a Horse. 



"These imitations are so exact, even in a 

 natural wild state, that we have frequently been 

 deceived." 



This description somewhat amplified, and the 

 wording varied to suit the writer's style, has 

 been copied intp most books on British birds — the 

 lamb and the cat, and the kite and the horse, 

 faithfully appearing in most cases. Yet it is 

 certain that if all the writers had listened to the 

 jay's vocal performances for themselves, they 



