This bird is inferior in the brightness and variety of its colors to the American Blue Jay. Yet the colors of its plumage are chaste aud pleasing, and the variegated beauty spot on the wing, enlivening the whole, it is considered, and justly too, one of the most beautiful of European birds. It has the same lively and sprightly habits; as ours it will articulate words, is familiar, docile and obedient, will imitate the notes of other birds, and it is said, when young, it may be taught to whistle a tune.

Food, - In Europe it is fed on bread and milk, and it is said requires plenty of water to wash to keep it clean; so would our Blue Jays, if kept on the same food. But I have had them, as clean and beautiful in a cage, as ever they were in the woods, whether they wash or not, and so would this bird too, if fed on the same yankee fare, good yellow meal and milk, plenty of gravel, water to wash, and a bit of beef two or three times a week.

Characteristics Of The Sexes

The male has the upper parts, except the rump, of a pale brownish purple red; the under parts of the same color, but much paler; at the tail it becomes white. The feathers on the forehead are streaked with black, and can be erected into a crest at pleasure; a line of black on each side of the head, the rump white, and part of the wing is beautifully marked with small bands of light blue, dark blue, and bluish white, all blended together, which ornaments the bird greatly. The female only differs in having the back of the neck, and part of the back grayish, instead of reddish purple, and all the colors being a little fainter.

Location

Found throughout Europe - Resident.