262 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



the squirrel by dodging round the tree could easily avoid the rushes 

 of a single bird, he was unable to escape the combined attack of sev- 

 eral, for while avoiding one he would be pounced upon by another. 

 The birds would dive upon the squirrel in turn, each giving one peck 

 and getting away until the poor squirrel was forced to retreat precipi- 

 tately. This season several young Jays were stolen by a Marsh 

 Hawk. This bird is too strong for the parents. He gives them no 

 time to concentrate their forces but swoops down to the nest snatches 

 a young bird and bears it away to his home on the marsh followed by 

 the screaming parents. The Jays feed their young largely on soft 

 bodied caterpillars. Some of the birds begin their nesting operations 

 the latter part of June, so there is an opportunity for observing their 

 nesting habits for about two months. 



Early in June of the present year, the editor of this magazine hon- 

 ored us by a visit. He appeared with camera and photographic out- 

 fit. At the time of his visit there was but one easily accessible nest 

 with young Jays in it. The others were mostly high in the trees. 

 This nest was situated about nine feet from the ground on the south 

 side of a tree on the sunny side of the grove, and well out toward the 

 end of the branches. Here the light was good, and as the birds had 

 frequently fed the young when we were near the nest, we assured Mr. 

 Reed he would have no difficulty in catching one of them in the act. 

 The first picture shows how the camera was raised into position. The 

 apparatus used may appear like "heavy artillery'' to the casual reader. 

 But the log truck with its long wagon box proved to be exactly adapt- 

 ed to the purpose in this particular spot. It was backed up under the 

 tree so that its hinder part was directly beneath the nest. The camera 

 was then mounted on long stilts, a few branches were tied out of the 

 way, and it was focussed. 



The birds being very unsuspicious came and went often, feeding 

 their young about as usual, although doing it very quietly and in a 

 more stealthy manner than common. To one who has heard much 

 about the diificulty of photographing the Blue Jay at the nest this seems 

 rather unusual. Probably much more difficulty would have been ex- 

 perienced had not the birds learned that they were safe from harm at 

 our hands. 



The second and third pictures show the parent bird at the nest. In 

 the second the camera was snapped while the bird was in the act of feed- 

 ing, but as seen in the picture she has gotten a little ahead of the 

 camera, for she has already fed the young and raising her head, is now 

 looking directly at it. The typical loose construction of the nest and 

 its position on the bough of the pine can be plainly seen. It was plac- 

 ed well out toward the end of the bough where it was normally con- 

 cealed by the foliage of the limb above, which hung low over it and 

 had to be temporarily pulled aside for the purpose of the photographer. 

 The bird usually enters the nest by flying into the lower part of the 



