NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 261 



violet-brown, and in shape are more elongated than those of the Blue 

 Jay. Their size ranges from 1.20 to 1.32 in length by .80 to .89 in 

 breadth. 



479. Aphelocoma floridana (Bartr.) [291.] 



Florida Jay. 



Hab. Florida. ' 



The geographical distribution of this beautiful species is confined 

 to the limited area of Florida. In some districts it is abundant, while 

 in others it is extremely rare. Mr. Stuart regards it as not very abund- 

 ant in the region about Tampa, where it nests in March and April, 

 usually among a thick growth of bushes. 



The nest is a flat, compact structure, composed of leaves, small 

 dry sticks, lined with moss, roots, fibrous plant-stems and often with 

 wool and feathers. The eggs of the genus Aphelocoma usually have 

 more of a greenish ground and heavier markings than those of Cyano- 

 citta. Mr. Stuart says that four or five eggs are generally laid by the 

 Florida Jay, of a light blue or greenish ground, sparingly sprinkled 

 with rufous and black, the spots being larger and more numerous 

 towards the larger end ; average size, i.oox .80. 



480. Aphelocoma woodhousei (Baird.) [292.] 



'Wood.liO'ase''s Jay. 



Hab. Middle Province of the United States, from New Mexico and Arizona north to Colorado, Utah, 

 Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Eastern Oregon. 



Woodhouse's Jay is more or less common throughout the States 



and Territories mentioned in the above habitat. It is generally not so 



abundant as the Long-crested Jay, and frequents the scrub-oak and 



lother thickets on the open hillsides. The nest is built in bushes and 



^thickets, or in low trees of thick foliage, and from three to six eggs 



^are deposited. 



Mr. Norris has a set of five eggs of this species, taken in Weber 

 [county, Utah, April 10, 1888. The nest from which the eggs were 

 [taken was placed in a sage bush two feet from the ground, and was com- 

 Iposed of twigs, lined with fine roots and hair. The eggs were fresh, 

 md are of a pale bluish-green, spotted with burnt umber and laven- 

 ^der-gray. They measure 1.03 x. 80, i.oix.So, 1.07 x. 80, 1.02 x. 82, 

 1. 05 X. 80. The average size is i.o6x.8o. 



481. Aphelocoma californica (Vig.) [293 ] 



California Jay. 



Hab. Pacific coast of the United States, from Southern California to Oregon, east to Western Nevada. 



A common species from the southern portion of Calitornia north- 

 ward to Oregon, inhabiting the trees and thickets bordering streams in 

 the valleys. It also frequents the chapparal and sagebrush patches. 



