Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-08-27
The Usefulness OF the Blue jay.

During the prevalence Of cold weather
hlne jays affect dense forests or places
whore there IL thick growth of under
brush. There they find shelter and
concealment, and there they are best
able To procure the necessary articles
of subsistence without fear of molcsLa-
ton. Like the crows, they are omniv-
orous, feeding upon both animal and
vegetable substances, although show
ing preference for the former. When
procurable, the eggs, larvm and images
of insects are eagerly devoured; but
when there is paucity of such food
the products of the oak, beech, birch
and the various cone-bearing trees are
made TO do excellent service in this
respect The beetles which they de-
stroy in winter are mostly the carniv-
orous kinds which are found upon the
ground-the carabi chiefly. But when
spring returns these are chiefly discard
ed, and grasshoppers, crickets and
other leaf-eating insects supply their
places. Immense numbers of caterpil-
lars, injurious as well rs beneficial, arc
destroyed later in the season, and the
good accomplished is considerable.
There Is one trait, however, which de-
tracts largely from its general good
character. We refer to the propensity
which il has of destroying the eggs and
young of the smaller birds, as well as
the parents themselves. These crimes
engender prosecutions, and in some re-
gions the birds are sacrificed without
stint or pity. But the benefits conferred
in tho destruction of noxious insects
outweigh tenfold the mischief COM
mittcd.
10 give our readers some idea of tho
good which the birds do, we cannot
resist the temptation to state Doctor
Kirtlands estimate of their character.
When he first settled upon his farm in
Ohio in 1910, he observed that every
apple and wild cherry tree was we'll
nigh stripped of its leaves by the Amer
lean tent caterpillar All efforts to
check the nuisance seemed hopeless.
AT this crisis the jays appeared upon
the scene and established colonies. The
catcrpillars constituted ready diet for
their young. And so extensively were
they preycd upon that in few years
not II single individual was to be seen
in the neighborhood. 1t is true that
slight depredations are pcrpetrated
upon the farm and the garden, but they
should not be mentioned i'm the same
breath with what we have Just written.
Hundreds can bear similar testimony
to their many good qualities.
Laying aside this part of our subject,
we now come to the domestic relations
of the species. In this latitude tho
birds are never gregarious, but arc
I, nj, -,
male and female usually together
Mating does not take place, however,
until the beginning Of May, but never
later than the 18th. Ushered in with
but few ceremonies, there is none of
that ostentatious show which character
lies the woodpecker, for these birds are
matter-of-fact in their notions. AS a
consequence nesting is entered into
with promptitude and zeal. A forest
or orchard tree, or even II low bush, is
made the depository of home. This
structure is well built, and is composed
of sticks externally. Within there is n
rather neat lining of dark fibrous roots.
1t is the result of the joint labor of both
birds. The work of Matching the five or
six olive-drab eggs, with their dark
olive-brown spots, is the task of the f.
male. While she is thus occupied, the
male is seldom absent, unless in quest
of food, but is generally present to en-
courage her by his love. He is very
jealous husband, and during the seven
teen days she is in the nest maintains a
thorough guard over her person, per
hitting no intrusion by man or bird
without rcsenting it in the most sum
mary manner The young are tenderly
cared for by the parents, who often i'm.
peril their own lives in their behalf.
When three weeks old they are able to
leave the nest, and in q fortnight more,
under proper feeding and training, 90
out into the world to seek their for
tunes, as others have done before. -
Mtiddeiphta Ledger.