Evening star., 1934-06-02
Blue Jays
BY ID. c. PEATTIE.

II
~ is bird in decidedly bad repute.
I have an acquaintance who con-
scientiously kills jays upon the asser-
ton that they drive away other birds,
both by direct attack, and by upset.
ting egg-laden nests, killing squads
and the like. l think he is only too
glad to have the opportunity to kill
something with free, or at least an
anesthetized conscience.
He is one of those country squires
who cannot sniff beautiful morning
without wishing to kill something
Right in his neighborhood he makes
blue jays scarce or non-existent, at
least in the Winter, when they are less
frequent anyway. But now. when
they come trooping back in vast mi
gratory numbers, his most noble ef-
forts to exterminate these blue crows,
for so he considers them mot with
out some geological justice), are un-
availing.
One seldom gets chance to wit
ness much more than the first man
euvers of courtship among the birds.
But II you will watch birds minutely
in Spring. you can generally follow
some Of the more amusing and psy-
Geological parts Of 1t. A bird-bath
near a window is invaluable for bird
study. and the other prerequisite is
either that you should have the time
TO sit by the window and watch
(Which few of us have) or that you
can bring your work-whether it's a
typewriter or tatting-to the window
and keep one eye on the doings out
side.
Yesterday lady blue jay arrived
at the bath. She plunged in and
made the air sparkle with the drops
she flung about. In a moment this
Susannah was followed by two males,
in all their splendor (though must
say that the female blue jay is re-
markably well-dressed, and far less of
a little stay-at-hor,e dowd than most
of her sex in feathers.
The males Immediately took a sta
ton above Susannah. They sang
loudly. as much for each others
benefit as for hers. AS each one de-
livered his loud commanding
'-peeto-O" call, which is not the COM
monest blue jay song, and delivered
especially as sort of come here
young lady" he bounced on his toes,
as though he had springs in his knees.
He reminded me Of lay reader in the
church of my childhood. who always
read the lesson as if the floor were
a touchy spring board. Every time he
came to one Of the italicized words IN
serted in the English translation of
the Bible, he delivered it by suddenly
springing up on his squeaky shoes.
and his knees, leaning across, and
popping it out at the congregation,
"Peet-O."
Susannah paid no attention to the
equally forcible claims of either suitor
She had evidently not made up her
mind, and was not in a hurry to do
so. When she few away, followed by
one male who was angrily pursued by
the other, 1 had not seen the last Of
her. She returned again in the after
noon. and was back this morning,
bathing as usual, and accompanied by
her suitors, who were going through
the same performance
As they look identical to me. I really
don't see how any one, especially a
woman. possibly could make up her
mind between the two. Only the death
Of che of them would simplify the
problem. Susannah. however, enjoys
all this attention. She makes so many
flourishes and f1irtings that I see right
through her feigned indifference. as
one sees through the pretended hos
tility of l3year-old girl toward her
brothers chum.