BIKDS OF INDIANA. 



877 



Length, 11.00-12.50; wing, 5.00-5.70; tail, 5.05-5.70. 



RANGE. Eastern North America, from Florida and Texas coast 

 north to New Found land and Hudson Bay, latitude, 56, west to 

 Great Plains. Breeds throughout its range, except Florida, Gulf coast 

 and central Texas. 



Nest, bulky; in trees, of twigs, bark, moss, paper, strings, grass, and 

 sometimes mud, and lined with rootlets and other fine material. 

 Eggs, 3-6; cream, buff, or greenish, irregularly spotted and blotched 

 with different shades of brown and lavender, generally heaviest about 

 larger end; 1.10 by .81. 



Blue Jay. 

 (Beal . Year Book United States Department of Agriculture, 18%, p. 197.) 



A common and well-known resident. In the northern part of the 

 State, some of them migrate over winter. Through the winter, aside 

 from the well-known call, jay, jay, or caw, caw, is heard, but as spring 

 approaches they become very vocal, uttering many calls, some very 

 pretty notes, varying from loud to very low. Evidently some of the 

 latter are intended solely for one female to hear, and when the pair is 

 surprised they slip away and, with apparent indifference, repeat some 

 rollicking role from a near-by tree. Keo-e-yeo is the familiar call, 

 while one of the best-known low ones is, we-hue. They are quite good 

 imitators of some birds. 



With us, this season of song begins early in March. In 1893 as 

 early as March 8, and in 1897, March 9. With it comes pairing time, 

 which I have known to continue until April 25. I have known them 

 to begin building as early as March 16, 1897, and have found them 

 just beginning a nest May 11, 1881. I have found eggs from April 

 4 to May 21, and the young left the one containing eggs April 4, on 

 May 20. 



