ONTARIO. 



1 hear them laugh at their narrow escapes and ludicrous 

 exploits. On such occasions I know I am often the subject of 

 remark, but if I keep quiet they do not seem to object much to 

 my presence. ' 



GENUS PERISOREUS BONAPARTE. 



187. PERISOREUS CAN ADENSIS (LiNN.). 484. 



Canada Jay. 



Upper parts dull leaden-gray ; lower, dull yellowish-white ; forehead 

 yellowish-white ; hind-part of the head and neck, grayish-black ; throat and 

 band passing round the neck, grayish- white ; secondary quills and tail 

 feathers narrowly tipped with white ; young, dull slate color, paler on the 

 abdomen, darker on the head, the white v tips of the wings and tail duller than* 

 in the adult. Length, 10 to n inches. 



HAB. Northern New England, Michigan and Canada, northward to 

 Ai'ctic America. 



Nest, on the branch of an evergreen ; composed of twigs and grass, lined 

 with feathers. 



Eggs, 4 to 5 ; grayish-white, marked with yellowish-brown, 



The Indian name for this bird is Wis-Ka-Tjan, which 

 pronounced by an English tongue sounds much like " Whiskey 

 John." Through familiarity this has become " Whiskey Jack," 

 the name by which the bird is best known in the districts he 

 frequents. The Canada Jay is found in high latitudes, 

 from Labrador to the Pacific Coast. It is quite common 

 in the District of Muskoka, where it breeds and is resi- 

 dent. I have also heard of one individual being taken at 

 Oshawa, but have no record of its having been seen farther 

 south in Ontario. 



In the Birds of the Northwest, Dr. Coues, quoting from Mr. 

 Trippe, says : " During the warmer months the Canada Jay 

 frequents the darkest forests of spruce, occasionally flying a 

 little way above the trees. It is quite tame, coming about the 

 mining camps to pick up whatever is thrown out in the way of 

 food, and evincing much of the curiosity that is characteristic 



189 



