54 PROVINCIAL MUSEUM, 



. FAMILY CORVIDJE. CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES. 

 PICA. (Brisson). 



American Magpie (Pica pica hudsonica, Sab). 



A common resident on the Mainland, rarely west to Vancouver 

 Island. Breeds in the interior of the Mainland, east of Cascade 

 Mountains. It is a social bird, although not gregarious, being 

 usually found in pairs or small parties of from three to six or eight, 

 but quite often goes alone. It is very voracious, living upon seeds, 

 carrion, insects, etc., and being especially fond of the eggs and young 

 of other birds, of which it destroys very great quantities. It is easily 

 caught and tamed, even when old, and soon becomes very cunning 

 and mischievous, exhibiting the same traits as the crow, and, like 

 that bird, is said to imitate the human voice with some aptitude. It 

 has almost an infinite variety of notes, some low, gurgling and musi- 

 cal, some harsh and discordant, others squeaky and grating. It is 

 very noisy at times, and quite silent at others, when engaged in 

 robbing bird's nests or foraging near dwellings or barns. It is not 

 a shy bird, but if frequently shot it soon learns to keep out of range. 



CYANOCITTA. (Strickland). 



Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri, Gmel). 



An abundant resident west of Coast Range on Mainland and 

 Vancouver Island throughout the year. 



Black-headed Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri annectens, Baird). 



Common in the interior from the Cascades east down through 

 the Okanagan. Taken at Chilliwhack. 



*Queen Charlotte Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri carlottce, Osgood). 

 Queen Charlotte Islands. 



PERISOREUS. ( Bonaparte) . 



Rocky Mountain Jay (Perisoreus canadensis capitalls, Ridgw). 



East of Cascade Mountains. Taken at Okanagan and in the 

 Cariboo District. 



Oregon Jay (Perisoreus obscurus, Ridgw). 



An abundant resident west of Cascades on the Mainland; but 

 not as numerous on Vancouver Island. 



