The common Jay is plentiful 
in most parts of England. 
The ordinary note of the Jay 
is a rather soft cry, but the bird 
is a most adroit imitator of various 
sounds, particularly those of a 
harsh character. It has one espe- 
cial harsh scream, which is its 
note of alarm, and serves to set 
on the alert, not only its own 
kind, but every other bird that 
happens to be within hearing. 
The sportsman is often baffled in 
his endeavours to get a shot at 
his game by the mingled curiosity 
and timidity of the Jay, which 
cannot hear a strange rustling, or 
see an unaccustomed object, with- 
out sneaking silently up to inspect 
it, and is so terribly frightened at 
the sight of a man, a dog, and a 
gun, that it dashes off in alarm, 
uttering its loud “ squawk, 5 ' which 
indicates to every bird and beast 
that danger is abroad. 
In captivity the Jay soon learns 
to talk, and, even when caged, 
displays its imitative powers with 
considerable success, mocking the 
bleating of sheep, the cackling of 
poultry, the grunting of pigs, and 
_ . , 7 even the neighing of horses, with 
JAY . — Garrulus Glanaanus. wonderful truth 
The Jay, like all the crow tribe, will eat animal or vegetable substances, and 
will plunder the hoards of small quadrupeds, or swallow the owner with perfect 
impartiality. Young birds are a favourite food of the Jay, which is wonderfully 
clever at discovering nests and devouring the fledglings. Occasionally it even 
feeds upon birds, and has been seen to catch a full-grown thrush. Eggs, also, 
are great dainties with this bird, particularly those of pheasants and partridges, 
so that it is ranked among the “ vermin 55 by all gamekeepers or owners of 
preserves. 
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