camp robber

American  

noun

Chiefly Northern U.S. and Western Canada.

1. gray jay.

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Etymology

Origin of camp robber

First recorded in 1885–90; so called from its habit of pilfering food from campsites

Example Sentences

A delicate lace-winged insect lights on my tablet, and a saucy "camp robber," or mutton bird, wonders at the unusual sight of me, the big man animal brother.

From Think A Book for To-day by Hunter, Col. Wm. C.

A delicate lace-winged insect lights on my tablet and a saucy "camp robber" or mutton bird wonders at the unusual sight of me, the big man animal brother.

From Evening Round Up More Good Stuff Like Pep by Hunter, William Crosbie

This habit of purloining has won him the title of "camp robber" among the people of the Rocky Mountains.

From Birds of the Rockies by Keyser, Leander S. (Leander Sylvester)

It is that which I am pondering while I am alone here in the desert; but my spirit is weak and that accursed camp robber made off with my volume of Plato.”

From Shadow Mountain by Coolidge, Dane

The other is the friendly camp robber, who, with encouragement, not only will share your camp luncheon, but will gobble the lion's share.

From The Book of the National Parks by Yard, Robert Sterling