PERISOREUS CANADENSIS : CANADA JAY. 319 



The Jay is oftener observed in summer than in win- 

 ter, and in other than the extreme northerly parts of 

 the country ; nevertheless, it is resident, as a species, 

 though the same individuals may not remain perma- 

 nently in any one locality. Its rowdyish habits are 

 too well known to require description ; nor would such 

 narrative be an as-reeable one to fastidious ears. The 

 bird is perhaps seen at its best during the nesting sea- 

 son, when least reckless and abandoned, and again 

 in the fall, when its provident store of food gives evi- 

 dence that it is not entirely thriftless. The nesting 

 is essentially the same as that of the Crow, though 

 smaller trees, and even bushes, are often selected, 

 and the eggs are not laid usually till the latter part 

 of May. The eggs are very variable in color. The 

 normal shade of the ground is pale, dull olive-green, 

 varying to clearer greenish, and also to clay-color, or 

 even light creamy-brown. The spotting is profuse, 

 and pretty uniform, though usually less pronounced 

 than that of a Crow's iigg, and sometimes quite obso- 

 lete. The size is about 1.15x0.85, but with the usual 

 variation either way. 



CANADA JAY. 



PeRISOREUS CANADENSIS (I^-) Bf. 



Chars. No crest; color gray, whitening anteriorly, darker on the 

 nape ; wing and tail dark plumbeous, with obscure whitish tips 

 on the feathers; bill and feet black. Length, lo.oo-ii.oo ; wing, 

 5.50-6.00; tail, about 6.00; tarsus, 1.30; bill, less than i.oo. 

 Young birds are sooty or smoky brown, whitening as they reach 

 maturity. 



