JAY. 217 



bary States. In Corfu, and others of the Ionian Islands, 

 the Jay is common, and resides throughout the year. In 

 Crete it is also said, by Mr. Drummond, to be found in 

 small numbers on the Sfakian mountains, and to breed 

 there. 



In countries where these birds are migratory, they usually 

 travel, during their autumnal journey, in flocks : their pas- 

 sage is performed in short, interrupted flights, along the 

 skirts of oak-woods, if such abound. On their return in 

 spring they are chiefly to be seen in pairs, instead of compa- 

 nies. 



The flight of the Jay is heavy and irregular, as if it re- 

 quired much exertion to sustain its loosely-feathered body in 

 the air. When they are obliged, during migration, to cross 

 a wide open country, they fly quicker for fear of being at- 

 tacked by birds of prey ; and their fear may be perceived by 

 their frequently turning back to their starting point before 

 they finally undertake the journey, and then it is performed 

 in haste, one flying behind another in an irregular manner. 

 During their migration, the Jays alight on the first tree they 

 meet with, and from thence utter their harsh note of joy, on 

 having thus far travelled in safety. They never sit long on 

 one branch, but shift and change continually ; and when on 

 the ground they hop about very awkwardly. The manners 

 of the Jays are very amusing; they are for ever changing their 

 position, raising and depressing the feathers on the head, and 

 uttering with every motion some unaccountable note. Their 

 usual call is a deep sounding Wrae, or Rrae ! but the varied 

 notes and imitative cries of the Jay are not to be described, 

 except by saying that it can imitate the voice of almost every 

 animal that it hears abroad ; whether the horse, the dog, the 

 cat, &c. and the notes of many birds. Male birds, if caught 

 young and tamed, are in consequence of these imitative powers 

 very amusing. 



