CAGE AND SINGING UlRDS. 125 
tlieir full gTOWth any refuse kitchen stuff will do for them : 
they are fond of rotten apples and pears, which are useless 
for any other purpose. When nearly fledged they may be 
allowed to fly to a neighbouring tree, and lured back by 
means of food. A good deal of liberty ma}^ at all times 
be allowed them : if well fed and treated they will not abuse 
their opportunities of escape. It is well to clip their wings 
twice a year. 
THE JAY. 
This beautiful bird may be not unfrequently seen confined 
in a wicker or other large cage : it is docile and teachable, 
and learns to utter words, though in a very unconnected 
manner. Bechstein says that it can also be taught to 
imitate little airs on the trumpet, and the songs of other 
birds, but we have never seen one so accomplished. The 
nest of the jay, like that of the magpie, is generally built in 
a tall tree : the eggs are five or six in number, of an ash 
colour, spotted with brown. The young should be taken 
when about fourteen days old, and fed on curds, bread, 
and meat. The old birds are very fond of nuts and 
acorns: they will eat bran soaked m milk, and a great 
variety of substances ; but the best food for them is wheat. 
They are dirty birds, and apt to soil their plumage, which 
spoils their appearance : give them plenty of water for drinking 
and bathing. If you want to catch an old jay or two, place 
limed twigs in a pai'ticular spot, and then imitate the cry of an 
owl: between these two birds there seems to be a natural enmity, 
and the whoo wlioo of the goggle-eyed hooter will generally 
attract a considerable number of the blue-winged screamers. 
In Germany the jay appears to be more esteemed as a cage 
bird than it is in this country : the peasants of Thuringia 
take great pains with its education. 
THE STARLING. 
Lawrence Sterne has given to this pretty and clever bird 
a wide spread reputation. I can't get out" are the words 
which seem to greet our ears whenever we speak or think of 
it. A lively bird is the speckled stare, as many people call 
it, and a general favourite on account of its sociability and 
attractive qualities, even more than its beauty. A constant 
resident in this country, and generally, although locally 
