whisky-john

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

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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a gray, crestless jay, Perisoreus canadensis.

Quotations

1772

They are named by the natives Whisky-Jonish, which has been changed by the English into Whisky-Jack.

1821

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.