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Webster 1913 Edition


Jay

Jay

,
Noun.
[F.
geai
, OF.
gai
,
jaj
, perh. fr. OHG.
gāhi
. Cf.
Gay
.]
(Zool.)
Any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to
Garrulus
,
Cyanocitta
, and allied genera of the family
Corvidae
. They are allied to the crows, but are smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely colored, and usually have a crest.
☞ The European jay (
Garrulus glandarius
) is a large and handsomely colored species, having the body pale reddish brown, lighter beneath; tail and wing quills blackish; the primary coverts barred with bright blue and black; throat, tail coverts, and a large spot on the wings, white. Called also
jay pie
,
Jenny jay
, and
kæ
. The common
blue jay
(
Cyanocitta cristata
.), and the related species, are brilliantly colored, and have a large erectile crest. The California jay (
Aphelocoma Californica
), the Florida jay (
Aphelocoma Floridana
), and the green jay (
Xanthoura luxuosa
), of Texas and Mexico, are large, handsome, crested species. The Canada jay (
Perisoreus Canadensis
), and several allied species, are much plainer and have no crest. See
Blue jay
, and
Whisky jack
.
Jay thrush
(Zool.)
,
any one several species of Asiatic singing birds, of the genera
Garrulax
,
Grammatoptila
, and related genera of the family
Crateropodidæ
;
as, the white-throated
jay thrush
(
Garrulax albogularis
) (also called the
white-throated laughingthrush
), of India
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Jay

JAY

,
Noun.
A bird, the Corvus glandarius.