362 LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



In the vicinity of San Mateo, Florida, the only point from which I have 

 any breeding records, nidification begins sometimes in the second week of April 

 and lasts through this month. The earliest date on which Dr. Ralph took a set 

 of eggs was April 1 7 ; incubation was then advanced about one-third ; the latest. 

 May 4, incubation being advanced one-fourth. Probably two broods are raised 

 here in a season. The eggs of this subspecies are indistinguishable from those 

 of the former, and the same description will answer equally well for both. 



The average measurement of sixteen eggs in the United States National 

 Musemn collection is 27.83 by 20.63 millimetres, or about 1.10 by 0.81 inches. 

 The largest egg measures 29.21 by 20.32 millimetres, or 1.15 by 0.80 inches; 

 the smallest, 25.4:0 by 20.83 millimetres, or 1 by 0.82 inches. 



The type specimens, Nos. 24990 and 25593 (PI. 5, Figs. 7 and 8), from sets 

 of three and four eggs, Ralph collection, were taken by Dr. William L. Ralph, 

 near San Mateo, Florida, the first on April 30, 1891, the last on May 4, 1892, 

 and represent average-colored eggs of this subspecies. 



141. Cyanocitta stelleri (Gmelin). 



STELLEE'S JAY. 



Corviis stelleri G-melin, Systema Naturte, I, 1788, 370. 

 Cyanocitta stelleri Strickland, Auuals of Natural History, XV, 1845, 261. 

 (B 435, C 235, R 290, 350, U 478.) 



Geographical range: Northwestern North America; from northern California 

 north to southern Alaska; east to the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, Washington, and in 

 western British Columbia, on both slopes. 



Steller's Jay, also known locally as the "Mountain" or "Pine" Jay, is a 

 well-known member of the fauna of the northwest coast, and is sure to be heard 

 from wherever found. Like its relative, the common Blue Jay, it is an inces- 

 sant scold, never at rest, fully as inquisitive, prying into the domestic affairs 

 of other birds, and, I think, equally destructive. It is usually a constant resi- 

 dent and breeds wherever found. It is an inhabitant of the canyons and pine- 

 clad slopes of the higher mountains, and is not as often seen in the deep forests 

 as on their outskirts near water courses. Although rarely molested throughout 

 its range, where collectors are few, it is exceedingly shy and more difficult to 

 approach within shotgun range than is the Blue Jay. I found this species quite 

 common in the vicinity of Fort Klamath, in southwestern Oregon, and I had 

 abundant opportunities to observe it closely. This locality forms nearly the 

 southern limit of its range, and specimens intermediate between the Blue-fronted 

 and the Black-headed Jays are occasionally found there, but the majority of the 

 birds are referable to this species. During the winter months, especially when 

 heavy snows covered the ground, small paities of these Jays now and then paid 

 visits to the back yard of my quarters in search of kitchen refuse, and most 

 of the specimens obtained by me were killed or caught in steel traps while so 



