84 NOTES ON THE OBSERVATION OF BIRDS. 
around the lumber camps, where they resort in large numbers, 
accompanied by the Canada Jay, familiarly known as the 
“Whiskey Jack.” Here they grow exceedingly tame, com- 
ing to the door of the camp kitchen for food, and if unpro- 
vided for scolding the cook in the most energetic manner, 
aided by the Chickadees and Nuthatches—bright little sprites 
which come to live with the rough loggers and grow into 
their very hearts before their acquaintance ends with the 
breaking up of the camps. As spring approaches the Jays 
decrease in numbers ; so that, by the time the woods are 
peopled with the hosts of summer birds, seldom is a Jay 
seen, unless an unfortunate Owl takes a diurnal airing. 
Then, soon after the first cry of “thief” is sounded, a host 
of blue-coats appear from parts unknown to take charge of 
his owlship, scourging and harassing him unmercifully till 
he seeks a safe retreat in a hollow tree or the depths of the 
thicket. Their stealthy movements during the nesting-time 
of the small birds—a demolished nest, fragments of shells, a 
retreating spot of blue, and silence save the lamenting of the 
robbed innocents when they return to find their treasures 
rifled—scenes like these cause dark suspicions to shroud this 
merry vagrant, and make us doubt his good intentions. The 
Jay is the typical bird of the fall, and never seems at his best 
until the sharp frost drives his summer companions south 
and paints the leaves with glowing colors. Then he leaves 
his seclusion, gives up his skulking habits and is before the 
world a bird, true blue. The other day, as I stood concealed 
near a fine growth of hazel watching him gather the juicy 
nuts, I thought he never seemed so bright and attractive ; 
those low, modulated notes which he constantly uttered, 
never so sweet and pure; nor his handsome coat so blue, as 
when brought out in pleasing contrast with the rich golden 
background of autumnal foliage. 
The true bird-lover is more interested in the study of the 
songs and habits of birds, than in amassing large collections 
of eggs and skins. More pleasant, indeed, is an hour spent 
