358 



JAY. 



what has been said, on good authority, in the Na- 

 turalist^s Miscellany, viz. that during the early 

 period of the French Revolution, when persons of 

 all ranks had suddenly obtained the unlimited 

 power of ranging the woods and forests in quest 

 of game, vast flocks of Jays, terrified by the un- 

 usual noise of the guns, flew over to the nearest 

 opposite coasts of England, instead of endeavour- 

 ing to escape by retreating into other parts of the 

 country; and on some of our own coasts these 

 birds were observed in vast numbers, seemingly 

 exhausted with fatigue, yet endeavouring to gain 

 the nearest wooded retreats. 



A white variety of this bird, with red irides and 

 white bill and legs, is recorded by Mr. Latham, 

 taken in the nest with four others of the usual 

 colour. Another is mentioned by the Count de 

 Buffon, which had also red eyes, but which still 

 retained the beautiful blue mail of the wing- 

 coverts. 



