352 CROWS AND JAYS 



484. Perisoreus canadensis canadensis (Linn.}. CANADA JAY. 

 Ads. Forepart of the head white, back of the head and nape sooty black, 

 back gray; wings and tail gray, most of the feathers narrowly tipped with 

 white; throat and sides of the neck white, rest of the underparts ashy gray 

 L., 12-00; W., 5'85; T., 5'80; B., '82. 



Range. Boreal zones of e. N. A. Breeds from limit of conifers in nw. 

 Mackenzie and cen. Keewatin and from n. Que., s. to w. cen. Alberta, n. 

 Minn., Mich., the Adirondacks of N. Y., n. Maine, N. H., N. B., and N. S.; 

 casual in Nebr., Pa., and Mass. 



Cambridge, A. V., one record, Oct. 



Nest, of coarse twigs and strips of bark, in coniferous trees. Eggs, 4-5, 

 white, distinctly and obscurely spotted with light olive-brown, I' 12 x '81. 

 Date, Stewiacke, N. S., Apl. 17, inc. adv.; Mahoning, Mich., Mch. 18. 



While studying the habits of birds in the great coniferous forest of 

 the north, I soon found that I was very safe in attributing any new 

 strange shrieks or wails, whose origin I was otherwise unable to trace, 

 to the Canada Jay. Many of the notes resemble those of the Blue Jay, 

 but it has a number that are distinctly its own. Some of these are 

 musical, but most of them are harsh and discordant. 



In its habits it is much like its blue cousin, but it is less shy, and 

 becomes almost tame if allowed to come unmolested about the camp 

 for a few days in succession. In form it is like a magnified Chickadee, 

 clad in singularly furlike, thick, puffy gray feathers; on its forehead 

 is a white spot, the size of a dime, and its wings and tail are of a much 

 darker gray than the other parts. This description, remembered in 

 conjunction with the habits, will at once identify the species. 



It nests early in March that is, while deep snow still covers the 

 ground and hard frost reigns supreme; and no satisfactory explana- 

 tion of this strange habit has yet been brought forward. No doubt 

 one or other of the parents always remains with the eggs, but still it 

 is difficult to see how they can keep them from freezing when the sur- 

 rounding air is chilled to 30 below zero. 



It is a non-migratory species, and it is said that in autumn it pro- 

 vides against the annual famine of winter by laying up a store of nuts 

 and other food. ERNEST THOMPSON SETON. 



1899. WARREN, O. B., Auk, XVI, 12-19 (nesting). 



484c. P. c. nigricapillus Ridgw. LABRADOR JAY. Similar to the 

 preceding, but darker, the black of the head and neck extending forward 

 and surrounding the eye. 



Range. Northern and eastern Ungava, Lab., and N. F. 



Nesting date, Lab., Apl. 16. 



486. Coryus eorax sinuatus (Wagl.). RAVEN. Similar to C. c. prin- 

 cipalis but with a "smaller or slenderer bill, the tarsus more slender, with 

 less of upper portion concealed by feathering of lower part of thighs." 

 W., 16*87; T., 9'86; B., 2'80; depth of B., at N., '94 (Ridgw.). 



Range. Ore., Mont., S. D , s. to Honduras and e. probably to Mo., 

 Ills., and Ind. 



486a. Corvus corax principalis Ridgw. NORTHERN RAVEN. Ads. 

 Entire plumage black with steel-blue reflections; feathers on the throat 



