Widmann — A Preliminary Catalog of the Birds of Missouri. 145 



Breton Island southward to the Gulf coast, but most of them 

 withdraw from our northern states and even from Missouri. 



A common summer resident in all parts of Missouri, more 

 abundant in villages and towns than in the forest. Also a fairly 

 common winter resident, and a very numerous transient visitant 

 in spring and fall. The regular passage through our state of 

 large numbers of Blue Jays from summer to winter quarters and 

 vice versa is of special interest, because performed in daytime, 

 showing us how land birds wander. Contrary to some theories 

 these Blue Jays do not follow certain highways, as for instance 

 the flood plain of the Mississippi River, but many minor routes 

 amounting almost to a broad front. It is true that many flocks 

 follow each other over the very same ground, resting on the same 

 trees and crossing the Missouri River at the very same point, 

 but there are such routes in every county of the state. The 

 route along the Mississippi River bluffs and bottom may be one 

 of the most frequented, but routes do not necessarily follow any 

 river and lead straight across the hills of the Ozarks. The 

 migration of northbound Blue Jays begins in some years as 

 early as April 11, but usually after the 20th and becomes brisk 

 toward the end of the month, continuing through the first week 

 of May, but ceases after the 10th or 12th of the month. At 

 this time even the last of our own birds, those of the second 

 year, are paired and building. 



In fall south bound flocks pass from the beginning of the 

 fourth week in September to the middle of October. Flocks are 

 of variable size, from 20 to 60 birds, and are on wing chiefly in 

 the forenoon between eight and eleven, in spring between six 

 and ten, less often in the afternoon between three and five. 

 They are perfectly silent when flying, but when alighting are 

 greeted by our resident Blue Jays, and a great noise results. 

 Though only a small percentage of our summer residents are 

 true permanent residents, those that have spent the winter away 

 from home have all returned before the last northerners pass 

 through. Blue Jays cannot stand much zero and below zero 

 weather; they freeze the toes badly in severe winters, learning 

 thereby a lesson which they bear well in mind the following fall, 

 leaving early. The more exposed woods are largely deserted 

 when the trees are bare early in November and do not become 

 populated again before the winter is over. This is indeed a very 

 unstable time, oscillating between the middle of February and the 

 middle of April. After an unusually cold late winter, as that of 



