I don't believe I shall let this bird talk to you, boys and girls, for
I'm afraid he will not tell you what a funny fellow he is. Isn't he a
queer looking bird? See how ruffled up his feathers are. He looks as
though he forgot to fix up, just as some little boys forget to comb
their hair before going to school.
Well, to tell the truth, he is a very careless bird and does very funny
things sometimes. He can't be trusted.
Just listen to some of the names that people give him--"Meat Bird,"
"Camp Robber." I think you can guess why he is called those names.
Hunters say that he is the boldest of birds, and I think they are right,
for what bird would dare to go right into a tent and carry off things to
eat.
A hunter thought he would play a joke on one of these birds. He had a
small paper sack of crackers in the bottom of his boat. The Jay flew
down, helped himself to a cracker and flew away with it to his nest.
While he was gone the hunter tied up the mouth of the bag.
In a few moments the Jay was back for more. When he saw he could not get
into the bag, he just picked it up and carried it off. The joke was on
the hunter after all. Look at him. Doesn't he look bold enough to do
such a trick?
Look back at your February number of "BIRDS" and see if he is anything
like the Blue Jay.
He is not afraid of the snow and often times he and his mate have built
their nest, and the eggs are laid while there is still snow on the
ground. Do you know of any other birds who build their nests so early?
There is one thing about this bird which we all admire--he is always
busy, never idle; so we will forgive him for his funny tricks.
[Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
CANADA JAY.]