388 ANIMAL LIFE IN THE YOSEMITE 



also, however, to some extent in other kinds of trees, and also locally in 

 tracts of pure chaparral. Finding such complete satisfaction of all its 

 life requirements within one relatively narrow zone, it is not surprising 

 that the California Jay is a permanent resident. It does not participate, 

 at least to any appreciable extent, in the late summer, up-mountain, food- 

 seeking migration undertaken by so many foothill birds, the bush-tits, the 

 wren-tits, etc., species which are also ordinarily classed as residents. On 

 a few occasions individuals have been found in Yosemite Valley, though 

 our own party did not happen to see any there. On September 25, 1917, 

 Mr. Joseph Mailliard (1918, p. 18) noted a bird near Lost Arrow Camp. 

 In 1920 Mr. C. W. Michael (MS) noted the species on July 26 and 29, 

 and on several dates in August and September until the 11th of the 

 latter month, ten of the birds being seen on August 27. 



The Interior California Jay is notoriously bold and forward in its 

 behavior; although it is counted as a non-flocking species, individuals and 

 pairs will gather quickly in response to the excited calls of one of their 

 kin. The birds seem never to be so busy with their own affairs that they 

 cannot stop and investigate any object of an unusual nature. Ordinarily 

 this jay is the picture of animation. Perched, it stands in an attitude 

 of alertness, its head up, tail straight back or tilted slightly upward, and 

 feet slightly spread. Just after alighting a jay will often execute a deep 

 bow involving the entire body, and this may be repeated a number of times 

 and in different directions. The purpose of this bowing is not clear to us. 

 Leaving a perch in the top of one tree the bird will often fly to another 

 of equal elevation, keeping on a direct and nearly level course high in 

 the air during its passage between the two vantage points. Its flight is 

 characteristic, a few strokes of the short rounded wings, then a sail, while 

 from time to time the tail is spread so that its rounded end and kite- 

 shaped outline show well. Descending from the top of a tree to the ground 

 a jay will sometimes drop at a steep angle, with wings and tail closed, 

 only opening them momentarily to check or guide its passage. 



If interest lags the jay will seek a perch at the top of an oak or digger 

 pine, and sit there silent and motionless for minutes at a time, with its 

 tail hanging like a dead weight, vertically downward. But the bird 

 evidently watches all that goes on in the vicinity, for it frequently comes 

 out of one of these reveries with a sudden burst of voice and movement. 



When going down to water to drink the behavior of the California Jay 

 is in marked contrast to that of most birds. The jays waste no time in 

 looking about for possible enemies; they probably fear none. The two 

 birds of a pair watched near Coulterville came down to the stream one 

 after the other and each drank three or four times, tipping the head back 

 with each swallow. 



