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 



