82 BULLETIN 191, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



through the vines and were sitting on the edge of it, while the third 

 was nearby. 



"One of the old birds went to the nest with the young and resented 

 my trying to so part the vines as to let light in for a picture. So I 

 braved its displeasure by bringing the nest forward about 2 feet to the 

 outside of the hedge on the chance of the birds following. The inclosed 

 photo shows both birds sitting on the nest in the changed position and 

 one of them taking food from the hand, when we stood, without anv 

 effort at concealment, about 3 feet away. We ran out of film, when the 

 nest was returned to its old site, and before we left two young had 

 climbed back into it." 



Eggs. — According to Bendire (1895), '"'the eggs of the Florida Jay 

 range from three to five in number, and their ground color varies from 

 pea green to pale glaucous green. They are blotched and spotted with 

 irregularly shaped markings of cinnamon rufons and vinaceous cinna- 

 mon, these being generally heaviest about the larger end of the egg. 

 They are usually ovate in sha.pe, though an occasional set may be called 

 elongate ovate ; the shell is smooth and compact, and shows but little 

 gloss." 



The measurements of 46 eggs average 27.5 by 20.3 millimeters : the 

 eggs showing the four extremes measure 30.8 by 20.6, 26.9 by 21.3, 24.6 

 by 20.1, and 27.0 by 18,6 millimeters. 



Plumages. — Immature Florida jays are much like the adults in appear- 

 ance, but the colors are duller, with less blue on the breast, and the top 

 of the head is lighter. The sexes are alike in all plumages. 



Food.— The Florida jay maintains the family tradition for a rather 

 Avide choice of food, deserving the term omnivorous, but leaning toward 

 selections of animal matter to an extent of somewliat more than 60 per- 

 cent. The tendency of this bird to bec.ome familiar with humanity and 

 accept its offerings leads to the inclusion of many items that would not 

 otherwise appear, notably such food as bread, cake, and peanuts, which 

 are invariably accepted with apparent avidity. Any such food, however, 

 is highly artificial in nature and should not enter strictly into any sum- 

 mary of normal consumption. So strongly has the bird become en- 

 trenched in many parts of its range as a semidomestic species that these 

 items are mentioned because of their frequent offering and equally 

 accepted status. 



Dr. Clarence Cottam, of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has 

 kindly furnished me with a detailed accotmt of the stomach findings of 

 16 specimens of cocriilescens taken in Januar}'', March, April, May, and 

 September. The conclusions from this study reveal that the food is: 

 "Animal matter 60.63 percent, plant matter 39.37 percent, gravel 6.38 



