CHARACTER OF THE JAY. 
pucker, fluttering, hopping, shrieking, — everything hut talking. 
On account of this deficiency, he was kept without his break- 
fast. In a marvellously short time he seemed to comprehend 
the state of the case, and in less than a week, while the magpie 
was in the midst of his morning performance, Jack, worked up 
to agony pitch at sight of so much good victuals going at 
so cheap a rate as the mere utterance of “ don’t forget me,” 
made a frantic effort to do business on the same terms. At 
the top of his voice he bawled such an imploring “don’t — don’t 
— don’t ” — (he could not get any further) that his master’s heart 
melted, and the next moment he was beak deep in the coveted 
jar. 
CHAPTER III. 
THE JAY. 
Of all British-born talking-birds, none can boast of such 
magnificent attire as the jay. His ground-colour is silver-grey. 
From the base of his beak, on either side, § bright jetty black 
hue extends halfway 
down his. neck. The 
colours of his wings 
and tail are beautifully 
blended, as those of the 
rainbow, and on his 
head he wears a crown 
of black and purple and 
red. The only difference 
between the male and 
female bird consists of 
the neck -feathers of the 
latter being ashy grey, 
while those of the former 
Considering his size, the jay is a most voracious eater, and is 
remarkable for the wideness of his swallow, which enables him 
to devour his food with great rapidity, seldom making two 
bites of an acorn or chestnut. Some other delicacies, such as 
the flower of the cruciferse, which the jay is fond of, he eats 
more daintily, carefully removing petal by petal. In a wild 
state, the jay often suffers for its inquisitiveness, thrusting his 
bright head into all sorts of bushes, and often getting his coat 
47 
