DCHP-1 Online

whisky-john < Algonk.; cf. Cree weskuchanis little blacksmith (from sooty color)

• n. a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

  See also: Canada jay  whisky-jack  

  • 1772  They are named by the natives Whisky-Jonish, which has been changed by the English into Whisky-Jack.
  • 1821  (1823)  Some young ravens and whiskey-johns made their appearance at this time.
  • 1889  . . . we shot a partridge and a wood-grouse, also a "whisky-John". . . .
  • 1963  His names, all Canadian, are: whisky jack, whisky john, moose bird, meat bird, camp robber, meat hawk and lumberjack.