38 THE WHITE-HEADED JAY. 



willows along creek jjottoms some twenty miles fmm pine timber. On the 

 other hand, the}' do not assert, with the Gray Jays and Clark Crows, the right 

 to range the mountain heights: but are quite content to maintain their 

 unholy inquisition amidst the groves and thickets of the valley floors. 



Thev are, perhaps, not so noisy as the Steller Jays, being less confident 

 of their cover; and their notes are rather more musical (lireath of pines is 

 better than fog for the voice) : but for tlie rest thev are the same vi\'acious. 

 intrepid, resourceful mischief-makers as their kin-folk everywhere. 



No. 12. 



WHITE-HEADED JAY. - 



A. O. U. No. 484a. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis Ridgw. 



Synonyms. — Rocky Mountain Jay. "Canada" Jay. Whiskey jack. 

 WissKACiKjN. Camp Robber. Moose-bird. Meat Havi^k. Meat-bird. 



Description. — Adults: General color plumbeous ash lightening below ; whole 

 head white save space about and behind eye connected with broad nuchal patch 

 of slaty gray ; wings and tail l)lackish overlaid with silver gray ; tail tipped with 

 white and wings more or less edged with the same. Bill and feet black ; iris 

 brown. Young birds much darker and more uniform in coloration than adidt.s — 

 slaty gray to sooty slate with lighter crown and some whitish edging on under- 

 parts. Length 12.00-13.00: wing 6.00 ("152); tail 5.75 (145); bill .82 (21): 

 tarsus 1.38 (35). 



Recognition Marks. — Robin size : slaty gray coloration. White of iiead 

 with its altruptly defined patch of slate on hind neck distinctive as compared with 

 related species of the genus Perisoreus. 



Nesting. — Has not been reported for Washington but bird undoubtedly 

 breeds in the Kalispell range. Nest: in coniferous tree, a large compacted mass 

 of the softest and warmest substances, — twigs for a foundation, then grasses, 

 abundant moss, plant-down and feathers. Eggs: 3-5, usually 4, grayish white, 

 spotted and blotched with brown having a tinge of purplish. Av. size 1.15 -x .85 

 (29.2x21.6). Season: Feb.-April ; one brood. 



General Range. — Higher ranges of the Rocky Mountain district from 

 British Columbia to Arizona. 



Range in Washington. — Mountains of northeastern corner of State and 

 (probably) the Blue Mountains. 



Authorities.— ["White-headed Jay," Johnson, Rep. Gov. W. T., 1884 

 (1885) 22.] Ridgway, Birds of North and Middle America, Vol. HI. p. 371, 

 ("Sinzoknoteen Depot, etc."). 



THE casual observer, camping first on Calispell Peak in Stevens County, 

 and later on Mt. Stuart, in southern Chelan County, might fail to note any 



