268 



liut, often, not until they have caused a good deal of 

 bother O'l- suffering to others about tht.-m. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The Blue Jay has an extensive range, being found 

 over the whole of the United States east of the Great 

 Plains, from the warm climate of the Gulf of Mexico 

 northward to the dreary wilds of the Fur Countries. 



In Pennsylvania, and, it is said, in most parts ul 

 their range, they remain throughout all seasons of the 

 year. These beautiful birds commonly resort to 

 forests to breed, yet they do not live like hermits in 

 the woods, for when searching for food they frequently 

 come about orchards, gardens, meadows and farm 

 buildings. In the cold winter season when the 

 ground is covered with snows these birds will visit 

 the farmer's corn crib, and like the Crow Blackbird, 

 and Redheaded Woodpeckei-, peck at corn which can 

 be reached from the outside through the slats. 



SOMETIMES SEEN IN FLOCKS. 



Jays when breeding commonly are seen in pairs, 

 but in ihe late summer and fall it is not unusual to 

 find them in small flocks; on diiferent occasions I 

 have seen twenty or twenty-five of them feeding in 

 beech, chestnut or apple trees. Blue Jays, as is the 

 habit of other members of their family, will feed on 

 different cereals, but of all the grains, corn or maize 

 is the one most preferred. A })air of Jays will pilot 

 their young ones, when able to fly. to a coa-nfleld to 

 feed; and sometimes a good-sized flock of these 

 sprightly birds may be C'bserved at work in a corn field, 

 particularly if located along the edge of a dense woods. 



