FLORIDA JAY. 137 



FLORIDA JAY. 



Aphelocoma floridana. 



Char. Above, dull azure blue; back with patch of brownish gray ; 

 throat and chest grayish white streaked with ashy; belly, brownish gray. 

 No crest; tail longer than wing. Length lo,^ to i2/4 inches. 



Nest. In low tree or thicket of bushes ; made of twigs and roots, lined 

 with fine roots and moss. 



Eggs. 4-5 ; pale green or bluish gray, spotted with rufous and black ; 

 1. 10 X 080. 



This elegant species is, as far as yet known, almost wholly 

 confined to the interior of the mild peninsula of East Florida. 

 In a tour through the lower parts of Georgia and West Florida, 

 protracted to the middle of March, I saw none of these birds ; 

 and at the approach of winter they even retire to the south 

 of St. Augustine, as Mr. Ord did not meet with them until 

 about the middle of February ; from that time, however, they 

 were seen daily, flying low and hopping through the luxuriant 

 thickets, or peeping from the dark branches of the live-oaks 

 which adorn the outlet of the St. Juan. These birds appear 

 to possess the usual propensities of their tribe, being quarrel- 

 some, active, and garrulous. Their voice is less harsh than 

 that of the common Blue Jay, and they have a variety of notes, 

 some of which, probably imitations, are said to have a resem- 

 blance to the song of the Thrush and the call of the common 

 Jay. 



Only a single brood is raised in the season. Its food is very 

 similar to that of the other species ; namely, berries, fruits, 

 mast, and insects. It likewise collects snails from the marshy 

 grounds, feeds largely on the seeds of the sword-palmetto ; 

 and, in the manner of the Titmouse, it secures its food be- 

 tween its feet, and breaks it into pieces previous to swallowing. 

 Like other species of the genus, it destroys the eggs and young 

 of small birds, despatching the latter by repeated blows on the 

 head. It is also easily reconciled to the cage, and feeds on 

 fresh or dried fruits and various kinds of nuts. Its attempts at 

 mimicry in this state are very imperfect. 



