Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Jay \Jay\, n. [F. geai, OF. gai, jaj, perh. fr. OHG. g[=a]hi.
   Cf. {Gay}.] (Zo["o]l.)
   Any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to
   {Garrulus}, {Cyanocitta}, and allied genera. They are allied
   to the crows, but are smaller, more graceful in form, often
   handsomely colored, and usually have a crest.

   Note: 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 {k[ae]}. 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 ({A. 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} (Zo["o]l.), any one several species of Asiatic
      singing birds, of the genera {Garrulax}, {Grammatoptila},
      and related genera of the family {Crateropodid[ae]}; as,
      the white-throated jay thrush ({G. albogularis}), of
      India.