258 
CORVUS CRISTATUS. 
mankind, but many species of inferior animals, more 
closely together ; and shews that the disposition of the 
blue jay may be humanized, and rendered susceptible 
of affectionate impressions, even for those birds which, 
in a state of nature, he would have no hesitation in 
making a meal of. 
He is not only bold and vociferous, but possesses a 
considerable talent for mimicry, and seems to enjoy 
great satisfaction in mocking and teasing other birds, 
particularly the little hawk (f. Sparverius,') imitating 
liis cry wherever he sees him, and squealing out as if 
caught : this soon brings a number of his own tribe 
around him, who all join in the frolic, darting about 
the hawk, and feigning the cries of a bird sorely 
wounded, and already under the clutches of its devourer ; 
while others lie concealed in bushes, ready to second 
their associates in the attack. But this ludicrous farce 
often terminates 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 disaster. 
Wherever the jay has had the advantage of educa- 
tion 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 Carolina, 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 talk- 
ing, 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 
