a 
G 
5 
4 
DUSKY, GRAY, AND SLATE-COLORED 329 
Jays flying down from the neighboring trees. They 
would settle on my back, head, or shoulders, tugging and 
pulling at each loose shred of my coat, until one would 
think that their only object was to help me in all ways 
possible. At such times their note was a low plain- 
tive cry.” 
The nest-building commences early in March, and a 
site upon the horizontal branches high up in a fir tree is 
commonly chosen. Both birds bring material, — twigs 
and moss from the sides of the trees, and bits of bark, — 
and both work at shaping the nest. At least two weeks 
are occupied in this work and two more in incubation. 
On account of the high altitude chosen for residence and 
the lofty site of the nest itself, the breeding habits of 
these Jays are less frequently observed than those of the 
jays of the valleys and foot-hills. In California this 
species occurs only in the northwestern corner and as far 
south as Mendocino County. 
491. CLARKE NUTCRACKER. — Nueifraga columbiana. 
Famity : The Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. 
Length : 12.00-13.00. 
Adults: Dill cylindrical ; wings long and pointed ; uniform light gray, 
becoming whitish on forehead and chin; wings and middle _tail- 
feathers glossy black; a patch on wings and outer tail-feathers 
white. 
Young : Similar to adult, but upper parts shaded with brown, and under 
parts more or less barred with brown. 
Geographical Distribution: Higher coniferous forest of Western North 
America, 
Breeding Range: In California the pine regions of the Sierra Nevada 
from Mt. Shasta to the San Bernardino mountains. 
Breeding Season: March 15 to May 15. 
