BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



the back of its head and nape are black; the forehead 

 and neck are white; the upper parts are gray, with darker 

 gray wings and tail; under parts, light gray; tail, long; 

 plumage, fluffy and fur-like. 



This bird is found in the forests of Canada and in 

 the northern part of the United States, where it is most 

 common in the coniferous forests of Maine and Minne- 

 sota, in the wilder parts of the White and Green Mts., 

 and in the Adironda'cks. 



Major Charles Bendire, in his interesting "Life His- 

 tories of American Birds," published by our government, 

 writes the following amusing account of the Canada jay: 



"No bird is better known to the lumbermen, trappers 

 and hunters along our northern border than the Canada 

 Jay, which is a constant attendant at their camps, and af- 

 fords them no little amusement during the lonely hours 

 spent in the woods. To one not familiar with these birds 

 it is astonishing how tame they become. 



"Mr. Manly Hardy writes: 'The Canada Jay is a con- 

 stant resident of northern Maine, but in some seasons 

 they are far more abundant than in others, being usually 

 found in companies of from three to ten. They are the 

 boldest of all our birds, except the Chickadee, and in 

 cool impudence far surpass all others. They will enter 

 tents, and often alight on the bow of a canoe where the 

 paddle at every stroke comes within 18 inches of them. 

 I know of nothing which can be eaten that they will not 

 take, and I had one steal all my candles, pulling them out 

 endwise one by one from a piece of birch bark they were 

 rolled in, and another pecked a large hole in a cake of 

 castile soap. A duck which I had picked and laid down 

 for a few minutes had the entire breast eaten out by 



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