CANADA JAY 



35 



hind head black; bill and legs also black; eye dark hazel. The 

 whole plumage on the back is long, loose, unwebbed, and in great 

 abundance, as if to protect it from the rigors of the regions it 

 inhabits. 



A gentleman of observation, who resided for many years near 

 the North river, not far from Hudson, in the state of New York, 

 informs me, that he has particularly observed this bird to arrive 

 there at the commencement of cold weather — ^lie has often re- 

 marked its solitary habits ; it seemed to seek the most unfrequent- 

 ed shaded retreats, keeping almost constantly on the ground, yet 

 would sometimes, towards evening, mount to the top of a small 

 tree, and repeat its notes (which a little resemble those of the Bal- 

 timore) for a quarter of an hour together; and this it generally did 

 immediately before snow, or falling weather. 



