280 ^'OUTll AMEUIL'AN JJlliDrf. 



the Ixxly and head entiroly replaced by a sooty grayish; and that of the wings and tail 

 duller, and less distinetly harred. 



If. VI!. Whole leiiL'tli ol' the Sierra Nevada, I'roui l'\»rt Crook (where it approaches 

 var. sfi'lh-ri) h* Fort Tejon. 



Tn the cidurs <d" the ImkIv, winjjs, and tail, this well-niaiked race resembles 

 C. macro/oji/ta in every resi)ect, e.xeejtt that the greater eoverts are not barred 

 with Idaek ; there heini; the same al>iui)t euntrast between the dcrp blue ot" 

 the wings and tail, and the liglit greenish-blue of tlie body, tail-coverts, and 

 primaries, — seen only in tliese two forms. Tiie variety is confined to the 

 nioinitains of California and Western Xevaila, extending along the Sierra 

 Nevada about the entire length of the State, there being si)eeiniens in the 

 collection from Fort Crook and Fort Tejon, and in*^LTniediate localities. 



Hai'.its. The lUue-fronted Jay, so far as it was observed by Mr. llidgway, 

 was found to lie exclusi\ely an inhabitant of the f>ine woods (d' the Sierra 

 Nevada, and is, with Clarke's Xuteracker, one of the most characteristic 

 birds of that region. In its general habits and manners, it great! v resembles 

 the eastern lUue day, but is rather more shy, while its notes are very 

 different, and do r.ot possess the variety and Hexibility of the cristnta, Ijut 

 are in comiiarison harsh and discordant. . The usual note is a hoarse, deep- 

 toned monosyllabic squaMk. Sometimes it utters a hollow sonorous chatter. 



Near Carson City one of these birds had been winged by a shot, and, in 

 falling, alighted on the lower branches of a pine-tree. Upon an attempt to 

 '•""■' 1^, tue bird be^an to ascend the tree limb bv limb, at the same 

 tune uttering a perfect imitation of the cry of the lled-tailed Hawk, evidently 

 in the hope of frightening away his tormentors. Dr. Newberry regards this 

 Jay as the western counterpart of the 6'. criatata. r>y its more conspicuous 

 crest, its bold, defiant air, and its excessively harsh and disagreeable cry, it 

 challenges and secures attention. He fcnmd it almost exclusivelv confined 

 to the hilly and mountainous districts, choosing in preference those covered 

 with pines. 



Dr. Heermann found these Javs abundant and resident as far south as 

 AVarner's Uanch, where, though conunon, they were for some reason so 

 unusually wihl and vigilant as not to be easily procurable. In feeding, he 

 observed that thev seemed alwavs to begin in the lower branches and 

 ascend, ho])ping from twig to twig, to the to])niost ])oint, and, while thus 

 emidoyed, utter a harsh screaming note that can be heard to a considerable 

 distance. 



This species, Dr. Coop»3r states, is numerous in the mountains of Cali- 

 fornia, inhabiting the whole lenuth of tlie Sierra Nevada, and the Coast 

 liange as f\ir south, at least, as Santa Cruz. Though shov.ing a decided pref- 

 erence for the pine forests they souietimes in winter fre<pient those of 

 oaks. They are omnivorous, eating seeds, acorns, nuts, insects, and in winter 

 even potatoes and dead fish. They are at times bold and prying, and at 

 others \'ery cautious and suspicious. They soon learn to appreciate a gun. 



