Is it any wonder the Jay’s scientific name is Garrulus glandarius? Garrulus is from the Latin garrire which means chattering, babbling or noisy, and that is, of course, where the adjective garrulous (meaning excessively talkative) also comes from. (The epithet glandarius is from Latin meaning ‘of acorns’.) The Jay often announces its presence by screeching like a Banshee but the gorgeous Jay in my photo was making much more gentle sounds, chortling quietly to itself, as if it had just heard a good joke. Garrulous, yes, but It was also quite delightful!