CORVID.E — THE CROWS — CYANOCITTA. 303 



them also with newly fledged young in June, and says they were found at 

 least as far north as Frazer's River. There is no reason to doubt his testi- 

 mony, and it seems to be one of those scarcely migratory southern species 

 which were then found north of the Columbia, but have since become nearly 

 or quite extinct there, perhaps from the effects of uncommonly severe win- 

 ters. Among these are the Ckdharics Culifornianus, Ayclaius guhcrnator, 

 Oreortijx pictus, and other more migratory species elsewhere mentioned. 



In California this jay is one of the most common and conspicuous birds, 

 frequenting every locality where oaks grow, even close to tlie towns, enter- 

 ing gardens and audaciously pilfering fruits, etc., before the owner's eyes. 

 They share the usual cunning of the tribe, and if alarmed become very 

 quiet, concealing themselves in the thick foliage, so as to be found with 

 difficulty. They are usually, however, noisy and fearless, their odd cries, 

 grotesque actions, and bright plumage naaking them rather favorite guests, in 

 spite of their petty depredations. They live chiefly on small acorns and in- 

 sects, but, like other jays, are decidedly omnivorous. 



Their cries are less harsli and loud than those of Steller's jay, and they 

 have also some talent for mimicry, besides notes to express their various 

 wants and ideas. 



They Iniild throughout the western parts of California, constriicting a 

 large and strong nest of twigs, roots, grass, etc., in a low tree or bush, and 

 laying about five eggs, dark green, with numerous pale brown blotches and 

 sjjots, measuring 1.04 X 1-80 inch. At San Diego I found eggs laid about 

 April 5tli. 



These birds inhabit the Coast Eauge to its summits, south of San Fran- 

 cisco, and the Sierra Nevada, probably up to the commencement of dense 

 pine woods and the limits of oaks, or from one thousand to five thousand 

 feet, according to latitude. They may feed on the pine seeds, as observed by 

 Dr. Kennerly of C. Woodhousii in New Mexico. I saw none on the east 

 side of the Sierra Nevada in lat. 39°. 



Their flight is slow and laborious on account of their short wings, and 

 they never fly far at a time. They are very active, continually liopping 

 about and jerking their long tails. They are very destructive to bird's eggs, 

 making a business of hunting for them in tlie spring, and are then justly de- 

 tested and attacked by birds much smaller than themselves. They watch 

 the movements of small birds with great attention, in order to discover tlieir 

 nests, and if possible make a meal of tlie proprietor ; but they are very cow- 

 ardly, and never attack a bird that is prepared for them. 



This bird is very abundant at Cape St. Lucas, and, like all the species 

 resident there, is much smaller than in more northern regions ; in size, in- 

 deed, not exceeding, if equalling, that of the diminutive Florida jay. The 

 habits, however, are said to be much the same. 



