CHAPTEK LXIX. 



THE Jay. 



Corviis glandarius, Lin. ; Le Geai, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Jay, when fully matured, 

 is remarkably handsome, and may be justly considered one of 

 the most elegant varieties of our native wild birds ; its con- 

 tour is pleasing, and the diversified colours and markings of 

 its plumage are exceedingly attractive and pleasing. When 

 obtained young, and reared by hand, it becomes remarkably 

 tame ; otherwise it is disposed to be rather vicious and wilful. 

 It is an active, energetic, noisy bird, of a quarrelsome dis- 

 position, and inclined to be arbitrary when placed in an 

 aviary with other varieties ; but, despite this propensity, it has 

 a great many admirers. 



A fully-grown Jay measures from 13in. to 13-|in. in length, 

 and weighs, when in ordinary condition, 7oz. The head is 

 rather long, but well-shaped ; the bill is l^in. in length, 

 strong, formed like that of the Crow, and black in colour. 

 The irides are pinkish white. The forehead is white, the 

 crown and hind part of the head cinnamon colour, streaked 

 with black ; the feathers on the head can be raised to 

 resemble a crest, which is generally done when the bird is 

 excited. The neck, back, face, breast, belly, and sides of body, 

 are cinnamon colour, the under parts being paler in hue, espe- 

 cially the abdomen ; the throat, rump, and vent, are white- 

 On each side of the throat, commencing at the base of the 

 lower mandible, is a rather broad streak of black, descending 

 about half-way down the sides of the neck. The lesser wing 



