256 CROWS, JAYS, ETC. 



open space to cross, dart over it, not in flocks, but singly, and, plung- 

 ing into the next thicket, they will at once be lost to view " (Maynard). 



484. Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.). Canada Jay; Whisky 

 Jack; Moose-bird. Ad. — Fore part of the head white, back of the head and 

 nape sooty black, back gray ; wings and tail gray, most of the feathers nar- 

 rowly tipped with white ; throat and sides of the neck white, rest of the un- 

 der parts ashy gray. L., 12-00 ; W,, 5-85 ; T., 5-80; B., 82. 



Range. — Nova Scotia, northern New England, and northern New York ; 

 west to northern Minnesota ; north, in the interior, to the arctic regions. 



Cambridge, A. V., one record, Oct. 



Nest., of coarse twigs and strips of bark, in coniferous trees. Eggs., four to 

 five, white, distinctly and obscurely spotted with light olive-brown, 1-12 x -81. 



While studying the habits of birds in the great coniferous forest of 

 the north, I soon found that I was very safe in attributing any new 

 strange shrieks or wails, whose origin I was otherwise unable to trace, 

 to the Canada Jay. Many of the notes resemble those of the Blue 

 Jay, but it has a number that are distinctly its own. Some of these 

 are musical, but most of them are harsh and discordant. 



In its habits it is much like its blue cousin, but it is less shy, and 

 becomes almost tame if allowed to come unmolested about the camp 

 for a few days in succession. In form it is like a magnified Chickadee, 

 clad in singularly furlike, thick, puffy gray feathers; on its forehead 

 is a white spot, the size of a dime, and its wings and tail are of a 

 much darker gray than the other parts. This description, remem- 

 bered in conjunction with the habits, will at once identify the species. 



It nests early in March — that is, while deep snow still covers the 

 ground and hard frost reigns supreme ; and no satisfactory explana- 

 tion of this strange habit has yet been brought forward. No doubt 

 one or other of the parents always remains with the eggs, but still it 

 is difficult to see how they can keep them from freezing when the sur- 

 rounding air is chilled to 30° below zero. 



It is a non-migratory species, and it is said that in autumn it pro- 

 vides against the annual famine of winter by laying up a store of nuts 

 and other food. Ernest E. Thompson. 



484c. P. C. nigricapillus Ridgw. Labrador Jay. — Similar to 

 the preceding, but darker, the black of the head and neck extending forward 

 and surrounding the eye. 



Range. — Coast region of Labrador. 



486a. Corvus corax principalis Ridgiv. Northern Eaven ; 

 American Raven. Ad. — Entire plumage black with steel-blue reflections ; 

 feathers on the throat narrow, lengthened, and pointed. " L., about 22-00- 

 26-50; W., 16-99; T., 9-86; B., 3-03;"depth of B. at N., 1-04" (Kidgw.). 



Remarhs. — The Kaven ditfers from the Crow in its much greater size and 



