ZOOLOGY BIRDS. 55 



the cunning and vigilance of the crow. The nest, built in an oak, often in the vicinity of some 

 ranch, is composed of a mass of coarse twigs, forming a sphere with a small lateral aperture, 

 the interior heing lined with fine roots. 



CYANURA STELLERI, G m e 1 i n . Steller Jay. 



Corvus stellerii, GMEL. Syst. Nat. vol. I, p. 370. NUTT. Orn. vol. I, p. 229. AUD. B. of A. Fol. pi. 362, fig. 2. 

 Garrulus stelleri, AUD. Oct. vol. IV, p. 107, pi. 230. 

 Cyanura stelkri, BAIRD, Gen. Report IX, 581. 



Abundant, and resident in the mountainous districts, and as far south as Warner s Eanche, 

 where, though common, they were so wild and vigilant as not to be easily procured. They 

 resort to the forests of pine and oak which cover the mountain sides, where, flying restlessly from 

 tree to tree, and alighting on the lower branches, they proceed to ascend by hopping from twig 

 to twig to the topmost point, procuring thus a plentiful supply of acorns or of the seeds of the 

 pine. While thus employed they emit a harsh, screaming note that can be heard at a consider 

 able distance. 



CYANOCITTA CALIFORNICA, V i g o r s .California Jay. 



Garrulus califarnicus, VIGORS, Beechy s Voyage, Zool. p. 21, pi. 5. 



Oyanodila calif arnica, BAIRD, Gen. Rep. IX, 584. 



Corvus ultramarinus, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 115, pi. 232, fig. 3. 



Frequenting not only the same districts as the preceding species, but abundantly found 

 throughout the valleys. Noisy, alert, and cunning in its habits, wild and wary, it still often 

 seeks the habitations of man, near which to rear its young ; being drawn thither by the abund 

 ance of food found in such localities. The nest, built in a thick-leaved bush or on the lower 

 branches of an oak, at but little height from the ground, is made of twigs and lined with roots. 

 The eggs, four in number, are emerald green, dotted profusely with umber brown spots. 



LANIUS EXCUBITOKOIDES, S w a i n s .American Grey Shrike. 



Lanius excubitoroides, RICH. & Sw. F. Bor. Am. vol. II, p. 115, pi. 35. 



Abundant. 



VIREO SOLITARIUS, Vieill .Solitary Yireo. 



Vireo solitarius, AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p. 144, pi. 239. 



Abundant. 



YIREO GILYUS, Y i e i 1 1 .Warbling Yireo. 



Vireo gilvus, NUTT. Orn. vol. I, p. 309. AUD. B. of A. Oct. vol. IV, p 149, pi. 241. 

 Muscicapa melodia, WILS. Am. Orn. vol. V, p. 85, pi. 42, fig. 2. 



Abundant. 



ICTERIA LONGICAUDA, L a w r e n c e .Western Chat. 



Icteria longicauda, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum. BAIRD, Gen. Eep. IX, 249. 



Abundant. 



