290 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



correctness of this statement, it is worthy of mention that these birds have 

 not been met there by more recent collectors, and that Dr. Newberry no- 

 where met with them in Oregon. Dr. Cooper suggests that, since then, the 

 increased severity of the winters may have driven them permanently farther 

 south. 



Mr. Nuttall describes its habits as very much like those of the Blue Jay. 

 It usually flies out to the tops of the tallest pines, jerks its tail, and perches 

 playfully on some extreme branch, where, as if in anger, it calls woit, tvoit- 

 woit, with an occasional recognition note of twee-twee. When pursued, it 

 retreats to the shade of the loftiest branches. It feeds on insects, acorns, 

 which it breaks up, and pine seeds. He describes it as a graceful, active, 

 and shy bird, with a note much less harsh and loud than that of SteUer's 

 Jay. 



Dr. Cooper remarks that this species is one of the most common and 

 conspicuous of the birds of the State of California. They frequent every 

 locality in whicli oak-trees are found, even within the limits of large towns, 

 where they enter gardens and audaciously plunder the fruit. They have all 

 the usual cunning of their tribe, and when alarmed become very quiet, and 

 conceal themselves in the thick foliage. They are usually noisy and fear- 

 less, and their odd cries, grotesque actions, and bright plumage make them 

 general favorites in spite of their depredations. They are also said to have 

 a talent for mimicry, besides notes to express their various wants and ideas. 



They breed abundantly throughout the western parts of California, and 

 construct a large and strong nest of twigs, roots, and grass. These are 

 placed in a low tree or bush. They lay about five eggs, which Dr. Cooper 

 describes as dark green marked with numerous pale brown blotches and 

 spots, and measure 1.80 by 1.04 inches. At San Diego he found these eggs 

 laid as early as April 5. 



This Jay inhabits the Coast Eange of mountains to their summit, south 

 of San Francisco, and the Sierra Nevada as far as the oaks extend, or to an 

 elevation of from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Dr. Cooper saw none on the east side 

 of the Sierra Nevada in latitude 39°. 



He describes their flight as slow and laborious, on account of their short 

 wings, and states that they never fly far at a time. He also accuses them 

 of being very destructive to the eggs of smaller birds, hunting for them in 

 the spring, and watching the movements of other birds with great attention. 



Mr. Xantus found these birds very abundant at Cape St. Lucas, being, 

 like aU the other resident species there, much smaller than those occurring 

 in more northern localities. Their habits are said to be very much the 

 same. 



This species was taken in winter near Oaxaca, Mexico, l)y Mr. Boucard. 



Four eggs of this species from different parts of California present the 

 following measurements : 1.20 X 0.85; 1.10 X 0.80; 1.1:5 x 0.80; 1.05X0.80. 

 The measurements given by Dr. Cooper we are confident must be a mistake. 



