392 British Cage Birds. 



Methods of Capture. — Jays may be taken in spring traps, 

 baited with mice, young birds, or pieces of raw flesh, and 

 in winter, with acorns or berries ; or they may be captured 

 by the use of limed twigs, or the decoy bush. 



Food and Treatment. — The Jay, in its natural state, feeds 

 on acorns, beech mast, berries, cherries, and green peas ; it 

 is much addicted to eating the eggs and young of birds, and 

 when hungry will devour small mice or birds. If any of 

 the aforegoing delicacies are not obtainable, it will eat worms 

 and insects. 



In confinement, it eats readily a mixture of oatmeal, flour, 

 and barley meal, in equal proportions, moistened with milk ; 

 soaked bread, wheat, scraps of meat, or any kitchen refuse, 

 may be given it ; it will usually eat anything that is given 

 to the Jackdaw. 



Rearing the Young. — Remove at the age of twelve days, 

 and feed on white bread soaked in milk, mealworms, pieces 

 of raw or cooked meat minced fine, or bullock's liver ; boil 

 a piece of the kernel of a cocoanut, or a few chestnuts, 

 bruise, and mix with moistened bread or oatmeal. Occa- 

 sionally, as a change of diet, give a piece of boiled celery, 

 bruised, and well incorporated with moistened white bread. 

 Keep the young birds in a large cage, provided with straw 

 cut into short lengths, or some moss litter, which change 

 frequently until the birds are able to perch, when sand and 

 small gravel should be substituted. The cage ought to be 

 cleaned out twice or thrice a week, or the birds will get their 

 plumage much soiled. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The male bird 

 is more active and lively in his movements than the female, 

 and the colours of his plumage display more sheen, the 

 back having a slight tinge of purple intermixed. At the 

 back of the neck the hen has a tinge of grey, whereas the 

 neck of the male is pale chestnut or bright cinnamon. The 

 young birds before moulting resemble the adult female. 



Song. — During the pairing season the males utter a low, 

 soft, impressive note, but it cannot be called a song. The 

 birds are, however, very imitative, and can render sounds 

 very accurately — such as the ticking of a clock, the sharpen- 

 ing of a saw, and similar noises — which are made in their 

 hearing. They may be taught to whistle, and will occasionally 



