FLORIDA JAY. 231 



East Florida. In my late tour through the lower parts 

 of Georgia and West Florida, protracted to the middle of 

 March, I saw none of these birds, and at the approach of 

 of winter, they even retire to the south of St. Augustine, 

 as Mr. Ord did not meet with this Jay until about the 

 middle of February ; from that time, however they were 

 seen daily, flying low, and hopping through the luxuri- 

 ant thickets, or peeping from the dark branches of the 

 live-oaks, which adorn the outlet of the St. Juan. They 

 appear to possess the usual propensities of the subgenus, 

 being quarrelsome, active, and garrulous. Their voice is 

 less harsh than that of the common Blue Jay, and they have 

 a variety of notes, some of which, probably imitations, are 

 said to have a resemblance to the song of the Thrush, 

 and the call of the common Jay. 



According to Audubon, the nest of this species is form- 

 ed of a few dry sticks, so slightly interwoven as readily 

 to admit the light through their interstices. It is then 

 lined with fibrous roots. The eggs, 4 to 6, are of a light 

 olive, marked with irregular blackish dashes. They 

 raise only a single brood in the season. Their food is 

 very similar to that of the other species, namely, berries, 

 fruits, mast, and insects ; it likewise collects snails from 

 the marshy grounds, feeds largely on the seeds of the 

 sword palmetto ; and in the manner of the Titmouse it 

 secures its food between its feet, and breaks it into pieces 

 previous to swallowing. Like other species of the genus, 

 it destroys the eggs and young of small birds, despatching 

 the latter by repeated blows on the head. It is also 

 easily reconciled to the cage, and feeds on fresh or dried 

 fruits, and various kinds of nuts. Their attempts at 

 mimickry in this state are very imperfect. 



The length of this species is about 11^ inches, and nearly 14 irj 

 alar extent. Head, neck above, and on the sides, with the wings 



