84 BULLETIN 191, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



of small birds, despatching the latter by repeated blows on the head." 

 Grimes (MS.) says: "1 know tliey like crickets for I saw a male 

 pass up four, one after the other, to his sitting mate. * * * In the fall 

 and winter tiiey feed to a large extent on the little acorns of Chap- 

 man's oak." 



Behavior. — The Florida jay is a true representative of its family in 

 traits and character. Individual variations occur, but essentially it re- 

 sembles its better-known relative Cyanocitta cristata, in actions and 

 habits. As its local name implies, it is not a high-ranging bird in any 

 sense. One of its outstanding characteristics is its love of the ground 

 and low elevations, which must impress anyone observing the bird for 

 any length of time. Along roadsides it is frequently seen on the 

 "shoulders" of the highway, particularly in sandy stretches, where it 

 feeds commonly. Passing cars often flush it from such situations, 

 whence it dashes off amid the scrub palmetto or ascends to a convenient 

 telegraph wire. The flight is strong and without particular character 

 unless the frequent sweeps with wide-open wings could be called such. 

 The long tail is often fully expanded. On the ground it hops with 

 strong, sure jumps, planting the feet firmly. In searching for food 

 under such conditions it is given, according to Howell (1932), to 

 probing the loose sand with the bill. 



One often sees the moods of the bird expressed in the action of the 

 tail. Usually, in repose, it hangs fairly straight down, offering a good 

 field mark, but under stress of excitement this member is jerked and 

 twitched in a highly expressive manner. Approach is not difficult most 

 of the time, though easier during the nesting period. Sometimes an 

 almost utter disregard of the human intruder is evidenced. In former 

 years these birds were caged, and they proved easy to keep. Audubon 

 (1842) gives an account of a pair he saw in captivity at New Orleans 

 ( !), which he states "had been raised from a family of five, taken from 

 the nest, and when I saw them had been two years in confinement. They 

 were in full plumage, and extremely beautiful. The male was often 

 observed to pay very particular attentions to the female, at the approach 

 of spring. They were fed upon rice, and all kinds of dried fruit. Their 

 cage was usually opened after dinner, when both immediately flew upon 

 the table, fed on the almonds which were given them, and drank claret 

 diluted with water. Both affected to imitate particular sounds, but in a 

 very imperfect manner. These attempts at mimicry probably resulted 

 from their having been in company with parrots and other birds. They 

 suffered greatly when moulting, becoming almost entirely bare, and re- 

 quired to be kept near the fire. The female dropped two eggs in the 

 cage, but never attempted to make a nest, although the requisite materials 

 were placed at her disposal." 



