The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-01-23
The Blue Jay.

bclOre the year lofO, OF near thas
date, blue jay was rarely seen except
in the woods, and his voice was one of
the sounds which, from my boyhood, l
had associated with solitude. But the
jay. though not game bird, was al
ways regarded as prize by that ubiqui-
tous individual, 1.-THE boy with gun. :"
He was priced for his rare beauty of
p'umage and because he was a 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
1.-THE boy with gum 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 domiciliated in
the groves around our churches and
school houses, where, if he chooses, he
may learn some lessons which he sadly
needs of justice and humanity. His
harsh, unmusical note is one of the ia
mi lar sounds about our homes, no
longer reminding us of deep woods and
- tary fells, or, like the voice of the
woodpecker of former winter ram 5lcs:
It Il | viii confess that this change has
used me some regret. Sounds that
a-r associated in our minds with The
s,lsu les of nature derive peculiar
cfia m from their alliance with those
nes. They become the reminde of
ala;'s;l occasions. when we have ram
flrd one in the woods for study or re-
9 eat on. or with comrades on some
i ely excursion. Sounds though IN
mus al, like the scream of the jay, may.
by the + association with the charming
: emery of rude nature, become music
to "ur ears, as an old stone wall covered
v h gray liehens has beauty in our
hit surprising that of the most luxu-
rant he gerow.
II the jay should ever die, the death
OF 50 distinguished a person would de-
man 4 a public eulogy. ] should prefer,
.'rwever, not to be selected 10 pronounce
/, ! We're to survive him. for he has
bu, lew laudable traits of character. 4
yea er rascal is not to be foun! among
tramps or politicians. He is adm rel
Tor the beauty of his plumage, h ord
" demeanor, his courage and sagacity,
and his lively manners. Like Balaam'
ass, he has been known to speak. AMI
according to Mark Twain, he is always
perfect in his grammar. | am not sure
but his extreme audacity has gained him
some admiration, as we are prone to adj
mire imDudence in a fellow man when
he carr.es it to a point of sublimity.
".All Jays says DIR. Coues. "make
their share of noise in the world. They
fret and old about trifles, quarrel over
n,lhing, and keep everything in a fer
ment when they are about" g The jay
is a stranger to modesty and forbesr
ance and the many gentle qualitiesthat
charm us in some little birds and en-
dear them to us. He is a regular fill
bu ter ready for any sort of adventure
that promises sport or spoil, even if
sp ced with danger. Sometimes he
prowls about alone, but often has band
of chosen spirits with him, who keep
piunder on the usual terms in such cases,
each one taking all he can get. p"
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 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-
casonal freak. OF the sounds uttered
by the jay only two are commonly
heard One his usual scream, the 9TH
er more subdued sound, somewhat
like the tinkle of small bell. AS DIR.
Coues says of an allied species, "he
talks to himself in queer way, as il
thinking aloud and chuckling over some
comoal 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..
Ceues 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.--
Hison Fdgg, IN Boston Transcript
--PcYerty is blessing when it makes
a man 1onk IN - M Ro,10ld