a pale brownifli tint,, faintly marked with obfcure blotches of 

 a more dufky brown ; the young keep together in the vicinity 

 of the neft till the enfuing fpring, when they feparate in pairs', 

 and quit their former haunts for fome more retired fpot. 



The habits of the Jay nearly refemble thofe of the magpie, 

 and like it is held in averfion by tfie fportfman, as it feems to 

 take pleafure in difappointing his exertions ; for on the approach 

 of any one, it gives an alarm by its loud and reiterated notes 

 that danger is near, and but few animals will venture abroad 

 during the {|ay of this noify intruder. Its food is various, 

 confiding of grain, fruit, the feeds of moft kinds of forreft 

 trees, particularly thofe of the oak and beech, alfo fmall birds, 

 eggs, mice, and when hard prefied it will devour carrion : the 

 hoards of acorns and beech-maft found in the hollows of trees, 

 have frequently been confidered as flares laid up by this bird 

 (but we believe without any juft ground) as at the feafon when 

 fuch a provifion would be reforted to, the Jay quits its more 

 retired haunts, and approaches the farm-yard, where it pecks 

 up what eatables fall in its way. 



In confinement, this bird lpfes much of its brilliancy of 

 colour ; it foon becomes familiar ? and is much given to piK 

 fering, fecreting pieces of money and trinkets, or any other 

 fmall glittering articles ; it is very crafty, and when it con- 

 ceives any one to be in fearch of what' it has purloined, it hops 

 from place to place in feeming anxiety for the refult of thefe 

 endeavours ; it will examine every hole and corner, turning 

 up the earth or other loofe fubftances, at the fame time it is 

 leading the inquirer in a contrary direction to its hoard. 



The 



