16 BLUE JAY. 



feigning the cries of a bird sorely wounded and already under the 

 clutches of its devourer; while others lie concealed in bushes, ready 

 to second their associates in the attack. But this ludicrous farce 

 often terminates tragically. The hawk singling out one of the 

 most insolent and provoking, sweeps upon him in an unguarded 

 moment, and offers him up a sacrifice to his hunger and resent- 

 ment. In an instant the tune is changed; all their buffoonery va- 

 nishes, and loud and incessant screams proclaim their disaster. 



Wherever the Jay has had the advantage of education from 

 man, he has not only shewn himself an apt scholar, but his suavity 

 of manners seems equalled only by his art and contrivances ; tho 

 it must be confessed, that his itch for thieving keeps pace with all 

 his other acquirements. Dr. Mease, on the authority of colonel 

 Postell, of South Carolina, informs me, that a Blue Jay which was 

 brought up in the family of the latter gentleman, had all the tricks 

 and loquacity of a parrot; pilfered every thing he could conve- 

 niently carry off, and hid them in holes and crevices ; answered 

 to his name with great sociability, when called on; could articu- 

 late a number of words pretty distinctly; and when he heard any 

 uncommon noise or loud talking, seemed impatient to contribute 

 his share to the general festivity (as he probably thought it) by a 

 display of all the oratorial powers he was possessed of. 



Mr. Bartram relates an instance of the Jay's sagacity worthy 

 of remark. " Having caught a Jay in the winter season,'' says he, 

 " I turned him loose in the green-house, and fed him with corn, 

 " (zea, maize,) the heart of which they are very fond of. This grain 

 " being ripe and hard, the bird at first found a difficulty in break- 

 " ing it, as it would start from his bill when he struck it. After 

 " looking about, and as if considering for a moment, he picked up 

 " his grain, carried and placed it close up in a corner on the shelf, 

 " between the wall and a plant box, where being confined on three 

 " sides he soon effected his purpose, and continued afterwards to 

 make use of this same practical expedient. The Jay," continues 



