132 BULLETIN 191, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Behavior. — All jays are more or less alike in their behavior, and the 

 green jay is no exception to the rule. It is a noisy and conspicuous 

 bird, making itself known by its harsh notes and its gaudy plumage. 

 As a rule it is not at all shy and has the usual supply of jay curiosity, 

 and the collector should have no difficulty in obtaining all the specimens 

 he needs. Dr. Merrill (1878) says that "it is often very tame and bold, 

 entering tents and taking food off plates or from the kitchen whenever 

 a good opportunity oflfers. Large numbers are caught by the soldiers 

 in traps baited with corn, but the plumage is their only attraction as 

 a cage-bird." 



Austin Paul Smith (1910) says that the green jay — 



ranks above all its North American cousins in plumage, tho not in bearing. I 

 have yet to find a species of crestless jay that is free of cowardly disposition and 

 sneaky manner. It is born in them. The crested members of this group, as most 

 of us well know, are no disciples of uprightness, but they can hide their faults, 

 in a large degree, by a dignified appearance. Unluckily, for the Green Jay, his 

 feathers seem to accentuate his sins. * ♦ ♦ It is another resident species, most at 

 home in heavy growth along the river ; altho from there it will often wander on 

 foraging expeditions, even inspecting rural barnyards when hunger be pressing. 

 The Green Jay is the worst gourmand in its family; and this failing often causes 

 it to lose its liberty. Its plumage makes it very attractive as a cage bird, and 

 to secure one only requires a wicker cage, set in a conspicuous place and baited 

 with meat of some kind; fitted with a trap door worked by a string held by some 

 hidden Homo, who possesses the instinct to pull the string at the opportune 

 moment. Captivity does not curtail the Jay's appetite, and they have been known 

 to accept food immediately after being trapt. Indeed, this bird will eat all the 

 time if food be accessible; and the indulgent owner finds it a matter of difficulty 

 to keep the bird alive more than a week, but such individuals as are fed with 

 discretion, will live to make interesting, altho noisy pets. In a wild state, the 

 Green Jay is suspicious as becomes the tribe, tho as a rule it falls to a ruse 

 quitely easily. If one be shot, the balance set up a din that can ordinarily only 

 be stopt, either by shooting them all or decamping from the neighborhood. 



DISTRIBUTION 



Range. — Lower Rio Grande Valley south to Guatemala ; nonmigratory. 



The range of the green jay extends north to northern Jalisco (San 

 Sebastian) ; and southern Texas (Rio Grande, Lomita, and Browns- 

 ville), East to Texas (Brownsville) ; Tamaulipas (Rio Cruz) ; Vera- 

 cruz (Tampico, Jalapa, and Presidio) ; Yucatan (Rio Lagartos and 

 Chichen Itza) ; Quintana Roo (Qiunyaxche) ; British Honduras (Belize 

 and Mantee) ; eastern Guatemala (Santa Tomas) ; and northeastern 

 Honduras (Omoa). South to northern Honduras (Omoa, Santa Ana, 

 and Chamelicon) ; southwestern Guatemala (Zapate, Naranjo, and 

 Patio Bolas) ; and Oaxaca (Santa Efigenia, Guichcovi, and Pluma). 



