180 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(10) THE BLACK-THKOATED JAY. 

 (GARRULUS LANCEOLATUS— Tig.) 



Description, — The total length of this bird, including the tail, 

 is about 12 inches. The colouring of the head, face, and ears black, 

 the hind neck and the back vinous grey ; in very healthy and adult 

 specimens the rump and upper tail-coverts brighter; chin, throat, and 

 the upper part of the breast black with white streaks, the black ending 

 in iron grey on the upper breast ; the feathers of the upper breast 

 are lanceolate ; the plumage lower down vinous grey ; tail blue with 

 black bars and white tip; the primaries and secondaries black with 

 blue bars on the outer web ; both the primaries and secondaries are white- 

 tipped ; the tertiaries grey with a broad black band and a white tip. 

 During the period of moult, the colouring of the head, face and neck 

 becomes almost pale ashy, much of the blue of the tail and wings 

 disappears ; the white shaft streaks of the f oreneck are somewhat variable 

 in different specimens ; iris reddish or orange red ; legs and feet brownish 

 grey or pinkish slaty ; bill yellowish at the tip, the colour varies at the 

 base. 



Hab. — The Himalayas as far east as Nepal. Common about 

 Almora and Dehra during the winter. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Specimens exhibited have lived for about four years. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — It never does well as a cage bird, but thrives in a large 

 and spacious aviary in company with other birds. 



Food. — Satoo, minced meat, insects and fruits. 



They have never bred in this garden. 



Transport. — Winter is the best time for moving and acclimatizing 

 them in the plains. 



Treatment in sickness. 



Half of the new arrivals appear to die from various causes, all 

 arising, no doubt, from injudicious treatment during the transit; 

 nothing however, is definitely known about their ailments 



Observations on the habits of a Black-throated Jay. 



The black-tbroated jay is sociable and lives in perfect amity with 

 other birds, whether large or small. It is seen to great advantage when 

 wheeling round some object or flying about an aviary; it seldom alights 

 on the ground ; it has a musical note and utters it while on the wing or 

 about to change its perch. It has never been known to become very 

 docile. Like many other birds, it does great mischief to ornamental 

 plants hung up in baskets ; it readily make friends with other species, 

 so that it and a necklaced thrush, or any other bird, may not be unfre- 

 quently seen engaged in fondling one another. 



