THE J2Y¥. 263

“This bird is always extremely timid, when its own interest
or safety is solely concerned; but no sooner does its hungry
brood clamour for supply, than it loses all its wary character,
and becomes a bold and impudent thief. At this period it
will visit our gardens, which it rarely approaches at other
times, plunder them of every raspberry, cherry, or bean, that
it can obtain, and will not cease from rapine as long as any of
the brood or the crop remains. We see all the nestlings
approach, and, settling near some meditated scene of plunder,
quietly await a summons to commence. A parent bird
from some tree, surveys the ground, then descends upon
the cherry, or into the rows, immediately announces a dis-
covery, by a low but particular call, and all the family flock
into the banquet, which having finished by repeated visits,
the old birds return to the woods, with all their chattering
children, and become the same wild, cautious creatures they
were before.”

The Blue Wilson gives the following description of the

Jay. Blue Jay: “This elegant bird, peculiar to North
America, is distinguished as a kind of beau among the
feathered tenants of the woods, by the brilliancy of his dress;
and like most other coxcombs, makes himself still more
conspicuous by his loquacity, and the oddness of his tones
and gestures. Of all birds he is the most bitter enemy to
the owl. No sooner has he discovered the retreat of one
of these, than he calls the whole feathered fraternity to
his assistance, who surround the glimmering recluse, and
attack him from all sides, raising such a shout as may be
heard on a still day more than half a mile off. The owl
at length, forced to betake himself to flight, is followed by his
whole train of persecutors, until driven beyond the boundaries
of their jurisdiction. But the blue jay himself is not guiltless
of similar depredations as the owl and becomes in his
turn the very tyrant he detested, and he is sometimes attacked
with such spirit as to be under the necessity of making a