ALEXANDER WILSON. 47 
the attach. But this ludicrous farce often termi- 
nates tragically. The hawk, singling out one of the 
most insolent and provoking, sweeps upon him in 
an unguarded moment, and offers him up a sacri- 
fice to his hunger and resentment. In an instant 
the tune is changed ; all their buffoonery vanishes, 
and loud and incessant screams proclaim their dis- 
aster. 
“ '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 ; though 
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 Caro- 
lina, 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 conveniently carry off, and hid them 
in holes and crevices; answered to his name with 
great sociability, when called on ; could articulate 
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 oratorical powers he was possessed of.” 
From the great popularity of the Work, it was 
soon found necessary to increase the number of 
the early volumes from two to five hundred copies, 
with which the second volume started in 1810 , 
