BLUE JAY 



155 



as it proves that he only takes corn when nothing 

 better offers. Statistics bear this out. In Oc- 

 tober and November, when most corn is to be 

 had, the Jay stomachs that have been examined 

 show only 1 per cent, of corn against 64 per 



FIG. 79. 

 Sphynx Moth, eaten by Blue Jay. 



cent, of mast, while 19 per cent, of the bird's total 

 food is noxious insects, such as grasshoppers and 

 caterpillars. Figures clear his name in other mat- 

 ters, for it has been noised abroad that he robs 

 birds'-nests, but remains of birds' eggs were found 

 in only 3 out of 280 stomachs, and young birds 

 in only 2, which, to say the least, proves that he 



