The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-07-27
THE BLUE JAY.

Before the year lS70, or near that date, blue
jay was rarely seen except in the woods, and his
voice was one of the sounds which, from nv boy
hood, had associated with solitude. But the
Jay, though not game bird, was always regar-
ded as a prize by that ubiquitous individual,
''the boy with gun" He was priced for his
rare beauty of plumage, and because he was a
conspicuous object for the boy aim. The jays
were hunted and prosecuted during all seasons
of the year; and being a wary and intelligent
bird soon discovered they should find better
rity in the suburbs of our cities, among the trees
that shade our pleasure grounds, than in the
wildwood. They learned that "the boy with the
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 is now fairly domicilated in the
groves around our churches and school houses,
where if he chooses, he may learn some lessons
which he badly needs of justice and humanity.
His harsh, unmuseal note is one of the familiar
sounds about our homes, no longer reminding us
of deep woods and solitary feils, or, like the
voice of the woodpecker, of former winter ram
bles: and ! will confess that this change has
caused me some regret. Sounds that are asso-
ciated in our minds with the solitudes of nature,
derive peculiar charm from their alliance with
those scenes. They become the reminders OF
pleasant occasions, when we have rambled alone
in the woods for study or recreation, or with
though unmuscal 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 lohens
has beauty in our sight surprising that Of the
most luxuriant hedgerow.
If the jay should ever die, death of so distin-
gushed person would demand public eulogy.
/ shOund prefer, however, not to be selected To
pronounce it, if were to survive him, for he
has but few laudable traits of character. A
I
or politicians. He Is admired for the beauty of
his plumage, his lOrdly demeanor, his courage
and sagacity. and his lively manners. Like Ba-
| laam's ass he has been known to speak, and ae-
cordng to Mark Twain, he Is always perfect in
his grammar | am not sure hut his extreme au-
dacity has gained him some admiration, as we
are prone to apmire impudence in n 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
trifes, quarrel over anything, and keep every
thing in ferment when they are slaIt.p flhe
jay il stranger 20 majesty and turbearance,
and the many gentle qualities that charm Us.
He is u regular tlibuster, ready for any sort OF
adventure that promises sport or spoil, even if
| spieed with danger, Sometimes lie pFGwis abGut
alone, but 0ftsn has hand Of chosen spirits
| with him. who keep each other in counteuancc
and share the plnnder ON the usual terms in sucl
cases. each one taking all he can get"
The jay is not remarkable for his musical pow
ers. | cannot join in the praise bestowed spou
him by Mr.. Gentry, who says ''the song of the
blue jay exhibits a variety, beauty and harmony
which are truly creditable," Neither have | bad
obpoItgliiy 80 witness hts Bqsers Of mimicry.
| His displays Of them must Ie rare, amounting
to an occasional freak, Of the sounds uttered by
the jay, only two are commonly heard. One his
usual scream, the other mere subdued sound,
somewhat like the tinkle Of small bell; As
nr. COqes says Of aR allied Species che talks 10
himself in queer way, as il thinking aloud and
| elucking over some cOmical notions of his own
This is seldom witnessed, however; it is only by
patiently watching the jay in his native woods,
| that we can find chance to hear anylof his Sab
| surd talk" rs DIR. Coues humorously terms it
| There are other birds who are addicted to sim
liar habit af splliquising, as | have frequently
observed of the little ohiokadee .-IlilsqH Fiagg
IN Boston Transcript.