268 



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

 bother or suffering to others about them. 



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 Pennsj'lvania, and, it is said, in most parts O'f 

 their range, they remain throughout all seasons of the 

 year. Tliese 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 Red-headed Woodpecker, peck at corn wliich can 

 be readied from the outside through the slats. 



SOMETIMES SEEN IN FLOCKS. 



elays 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 different 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 pair of Jays will pilot 

 their young ones, when able to fly. to a cc^rnfteld to 

 feed; and sometimes a good-sized flock of these 

 sprightly birds may be observed at work in a corn field, 

 particularly if located along the edge of a dense woods. 



