154 



great tail some 10 inches long. Strikingly coloured in sharply contrasted masses of black 

 and white. Head, neck to upper breast, back, tail, and much of wings, black, glossed 

 with green on wings and tail. A conspicuous white bar on shoulders over wings. Inner 

 webs of primaries, lower breast, and below, all white. 



Distinctions. Easily recognized by the very long tail and the strong black and white 

 contrasts in colouring. 



Distribution. As a species the Magpie occurs in the north temperate regions of 

 both the New and Old Worlds. The American form is properly a bird of the west, 

 regularly coming to the central prairie provinces and occurring occasionally farther east. 



SUBSPECIES. The American Mapgie is a subspecies, under the trinomial P. p. 

 hudsonia, of a species common to both New and Old Worlds, and differs from the European 

 form in slight details only. This is a matter for experts. 



The Magpie is with some doubt included among the native birds of 

 eastern Canada. The species is common in the far west and we have a 

 number of records in the Maritime Provinces and lower Great Lakes 

 region as well substantiated as is possible without specimens. In 1879 

 a number of Magpies imported from England were liberated at Levis 

 opposite Quebec. Some of the records may refer to descendants of these 

 introduced birds and not to natives. Specimens for the determination 

 of these eastern birds are greatly desired. The species is too rare to 

 require economic discussion. 



477. Blue Jay. FR. LE GEAI HUPPE. Cyanocitta cristata. L, 11-74. Plate 

 XXIV A. 



Distinctions. Well characterized by crest and colour. 



Field Marks. The predominance of blue in the general coloration, the white tail 

 borders, and the crest. The flight of the Blue Jay is easily recognizable. Its numerous 

 calls are distinctive, ranging from the loud raucous jay-jay, through its barn door squeak, 

 to many quiet conversational chuckles. 



Nesting. Nest of twigs and rootlets 10 to 20 feet from the ground. 



Distribution. Eastern America from the borders of settlement to the gulf of Mexico. 

 Breeds wherever found in Canada. 



The Blue Jay is alert, inquisitive, and mischievous. A strange noise 

 in the woods or a moving figure attracts him and he steals quietly up 

 to it; on discovering an enemy he flees shrieking away in exaggerated 

 fright. In this way Jays have spoiled many careful stalks and caused 

 great annoyance to hunters. In the autumn he is provident, and gathers 

 acorns which he carefully stows away in bark crannies and like places. 

 Whether he ever returns to his stores may be open to some doubt. 



Economic Status. Economically the Blue Jay occupies a doubtful 

 place; in food habits it is omnivorous, eating in turn, insects, fruit, acorns, 

 grain, eggs, or young birds. Undoubtedly acorns in their season form 

 its staple food. It is a bird that should be discouraged about the orchard 

 when other more useful birds are nesting. 



484. Canada Jay. WHISKEY JACK. MOOSE BIRD. MEAT BIRD. CAMP ROBBER. 

 FR. LE GEAI DU CANADA. Perisoreus canadensis. L, 13. Plate XXIV B. 



Distinctions. Size; soft, neutral-grey coloration with black cap and white forehead 

 are distinctive. The juvenile, rather rarely seen in early plumage, has an evenly dark 

 head and neck. All have loose, fluffy, ragged plumage. 



Field Marks. Size, even grey coloration, and white forehead and face. 



Nesting. Nests of twigs and fibres, closely felted with fur and feathers into a com- 

 pact deeply-cupped structure which serves as a protection to the eggs which are some- 

 times incubated at a temperature of 30 below zero Fahrenheit. 



Distribution. The northern coniferous woods across the continent. 



SUBSPECIES. The Canada Jay is divided into a number of very slightly differ- 

 entiated subspecies. In eastern Canada, the Eastern Canada Jay, the type form, is the 

 generally distributed one, with Labrador Jay P. c. nigricapillus inhabiting Newfoundland 

 and the Ungava peninsula. 



