The European species are few in number, but that which is the most common and well known by the name from which has been derived the popular appellation now applied to nearly all of its more or less nearly allied relatives, is justly regarded as one of the most remarkable of the birds of that continent. It is the only species of this family which inhabits central Europe and the British Islands, and is much admired on account of the beauty of its plumage, which is for the greater part of a very handsome light reddish brown, with its wings richly colored of a beautiful light blue and a deep black. It is a cunning, cautious bird, and possesses very considerable powers of imitation and of voice in general. Nearly all the European ornithologists relate instances of specimens which they had seen in a state of domestication, some of which had been taught, not only to articulate words but also to imitate various sounds and the cries of animals. Bewick mentions one which would call a dog, and another which could imitate the noise made by a saw. Others have heard it imitate the mewing of a cat, the notes of other birds, and even the neighing of a horse. In Germany, where the taming and rearing of birds is made a matter of business to a much greater extent than we have any examples of in the United States, the Jay is a great favorite on account of this talent, or in some measure for the same reason that the Mocking bird is in this country. It does not appear, however, to possess the talent for accurate imitation, nor the taste nor talent for combination which is shown in such an eminent degree by the famous songster of this country, but to evince imitative instincts more similar to those of the Parrots. Other Jays, of very handsome plumage, inhabit Asia, from the northern regions of which continent, as well as from northern Africa, a few species visit Europe. They are not abundant in either of the first mentioned continents.