PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



The shooting of Magpies requires a good deal of skill, 

 owing to the wily flight of these birds, and the way in which 

 they enter and leave their nests. 



Jays (Garrilus G landarius) 



The Jay is widely distributed and resident throughout 

 Europe, except in the south-east, and is common in the 

 woodlands of England, less so in Scotland. It chiefly 

 inhabits the woods, and its noise is most obvious in the 

 evening, being akin to the words " Chaik ! Chaik ! Chaik!" 

 having an evident desire to conceal its presence as much 

 as possible. It nests in the Hawthorn, Holly, Fir, Yew, 

 Hazel, etc., and makes a substantial nest, though rather 

 crude in form. The eggs are from five to seven, pale green, 

 mottled with dark or light markings. Most Jays' nests are 

 discovered about May. It lives on worms, spiders, eggs, 

 young birds, and fruit, but also upon berries, beech-nuts, 

 acorns, etc. It is a handsome bird, and the female is very 

 similar to the male though somewhat smaller. 



On the crown there is a crest of light feathers tipped with 

 black. The bill is brown, and the tail blackish-brown. The 

 rump and upper tail coverts are white. The throat is also 

 white. Some of the feathers are light blue, whilst the rest 

 of the plumage is mostly a blend of terra-cotta and buff, or 

 as described by ornithologists — vinaceous. 



Keepers are not unanimous as to the damage done by 

 Jays, but it is tolerably certain that this bird does harm. 

 In relation to this matter the following contribution is worthy 

 of reproduction. 



194 



