SOME NOTES ON NEBRASKA BIRDS. 121 



his attention. This cry is something like that of a Blue Jay, but 

 hoarser and heavier. * * * jjg Ij^g ^jgQ ^ (.^u sounding like the 

 rataplan of a Flicker; and again, when greedily regaling on acorns, 

 and iiopping aimlessly about, or peering curiously down through the 

 pine fronds to watch a suspicious character, he talks to himself in a 

 queer way, as if thinking aloud, and chuckling over some comical 

 notions of his own. * * * 



"The Long-crested Jay will eat anything eatable. It is said jays 

 kill and devour small birds, and doubtless they do so on occasion, 

 though I do not think it is habitual with them. They suck eggs, de- 

 spoiling many a pretty nest; and if they cannot catch winged insects, 

 fat larvse and beetles do not come amiss; but after all, they are prin- 

 cipally vegetarians, feeding mainly upon seeds, hard fruits, and berries. 

 * * * Wherever he goes he has it pretty much his own way, hated 

 and feared by the other birds, whom he silences with a scream and 

 subdues by a show of authority. But who of his kind has not ene- 

 mies? Cassin's Flycatcher, almost as noisy and audacious, has many 

 a set-to with him, and even the nimble little Wood Pewees pester 

 him sometimes. The woodpeckers tease him persistently ; they can 

 scramble about faster than he can follow, and laugh at him from the 

 other side of a bough, till he quite loses his temper. But after all, our 

 Jay has good points, and I confess to a sneaking sort of regard for him. 

 An elegant dashing fellow, of good presence, if not good manners; a 

 tough, wiry, independent creature, with sense enough to take precious 

 good care of himself, as any one who wants his skin will discover." 



The above will apply equally well to our Blue Jay, only that he is 

 more of a coward and will not attempt as many conquests as will Stel- 

 ler's Jay. He does much of the mischief that is laid at the door of the 

 Robin, Oriole, thrushes, and other birds, and then sneaks away unob- 

 served. He is a good bird to practice on, both for the sportsman and 

 taxidermist. 



480. Ampelocoma woodhouseii (JSmVrf).— Woodhouse's Jay. 



"Transient visitor" at North Platte — common (M. K. Barnum); east to 

 Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico (A. O. U. Check List). 



484. Perisoreus canadensis (iym?i.).— Canada Jay. 



West Point, Crawford (L. Bruner). 



486. Corvus corax sinuatus (TFa^r^.).— American Raven. 



Sand Hills of Brown county, Sidney (L. Bruner); "Formerly frequently seen 

 in Nebraska, especially in its northern part" (Aughey); "Resident, formerly 



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