Nebraska advertiser., 1882-08-24
The Blne jay.

The Blue Jay.
Before the year 1870, or near that
date, a blue jay was rarely seen except
in the woods, and his voice was one OF
the sounds which, from my boyhood. |
had associated with solitude. But the
jay, though not q game bird, was al
ways regarded as prize by that ubiqui-
tous individual, "the boy with gun"
He was priced for his rare beauty of
plumage and because he was n conspic-
uous object for the boys aim. The
jays were hunted and prosecuted during
all seasons of the year; and, being wary
and intelligent birds, they soon discov-
cred that they should find security in the
suburbs of our cities, among the trees
that shade our pleasure grounds, than
in the wildwood. They learned that
''the boy with gun" was not wholly
ubiquitous; and though numerous in
the woods, he was very scarce in the
villages and suburbs. The jays saw their
opportunity to escape harassment from
human beings by coming and living
among them.
The Jay IL now fairly domiciliated in
the groves around our churches and
may learn some lessons which he sadly
needs of Justice and humanity His
harsh, ummusical note is one of the fa-
miliar sounds about our homes, no
longer reminding us of deep woods and
solitary fells, or, like the voice of the
woodpecker, of former winter rambles;
and will confess that this change has
caused me some regreC. Sounds that
are associated in our minds with the
soitudes of nature derive peculiar
charm from their alliance with those
scenes They become the reminders of
pleasant occasions, when we have ram
bled alone in the woods for study or re-
creation, or with comrades on some
lively excursion. Sounds though un-
musical, like the scream of the Jay, may,
by their association with the charming
scenery of rude nature, become music
to our ears, as an old stone wall covered
with gray lichcns has beauty in our
sight surprising that of the most luXu-
riant hedgerow.
If the Jay should ever die, the death
of so distinguished person would de-
mand public eulogy. | should prefer,
however, not to be selected to pronounce
it, if were to survive him, for he has
but few laudable traits of character. A
greater rascal is not TO be found among
tramps or politicians. He is admired
for the beauty of his plumage, his lord
ly demeanor, his courage and sagacity,
and his lively manners. Like Balaam' $
ass, he has been known to speak, and,
according to Mark Twain, he is always
perfect in his grammar. | am not sure
but his extreme audacty has gained him
some admiration, rs we are prone to ad-
mire impudencc in fellow man when
he carries it to point of sublimity.
"All Jays" says DIR. Coues, "make
their share of noise in the world. They
fret and scold about tritles, quarrel over
anything, and keep everything in fer
ment when they are about" "The jay
is stranger to modesty and forbear-
ance and the many gentle qualities that
charm us in some little birds and en-
| dear them to us. He is n regular fill
buster, ready for any sort of adventure
that promises sport or spoil, even il
| spiced with danger. Sometimes be
prowls about alone, but often has band
of chosen spirits with him, who keep
each other in cOuntenance and share the
| plunder on the usual terms in such cases,
each one taking all he can get"
The jay is not remarkable for his
musical powers. / cannot join in the
praise bestowed upon him by Mr.. GEN
try, who says "the song of the blue Jay
exhibits a variety, beauty and harmony
which are truly creditable." Neither
have | had opportunity to witness his
powers of mimicry, His displays of
them must be rare, amounting to an oc-
casional freak. OF the sounds uttered
by the jay only two are commonly
heard. One his usual scream, the 9TH
er n more subdued sound, somewhat
like the tinkle Of small bell. AS DIR.
Coues says of an allied species, "he
talks 10. himself in a queer way, as il
thinking aloud and chuckling over some
comical notions of his own" This is
seldom Witnessed however; it is only
by patiently watching the jay in his ma
tive woods that we can find chance to
hear any of this "absurd talk as DR..
| Coues humorously terms it. There are
other birds who are addicted TO a similar
habit of soliloquizing, as have frequent
ly observed Of the little chickadee. -
Wilson FIdgg, IN Boston Transcript