The Bird that Nests in the Snow 9 



there, should he be within hearing or seeing distance, chirping contentedly 

 and looking for what he may devour. 



I was traveling through the woods one day in early spring and fired a small 

 rifle, the report of which was not very loud, but almost immediately a Jay came 

 and lit on a small tree near by and chirped as though asking for his share of 

 the game. I soon threw him a morsel and he immediately took it and flew away, 

 probably to his nest to feed his mate — a fact which I know he does. 



A certain pair of Canada Jays lived all winter long in the immediate vicinity 

 of two small cabins in a clearing. Whenever a crumb or scrap of meat was 

 thrown from either door they would pounce down upon it and devour it at 

 once, hide it in a cavity of some tree, or stow it snugly away between two branches 

 to be eaten later when food became scarce. 



These birds became quite tame. I have had them come and take food from 

 my hand; at other times they have entered the cabin through an open window 

 and helped themselves to food placed purposely on the table for them. 



About the first of March these birds began to show signs of wanting to nest 

 although the mercury registered more than forty degrees below zero; never- 

 theless, a nesting-site was chosen in a clump of 'diamond' willows within two 

 hundred yards of one of the cabins, and house-building began. On March 31, 

 one egg was deposited. I visited the nest daily afterwards until April 8, then 

 as no other egg had been laid I proceeded to photograph the bird and her home. 

 The snow around the nesting-site was about three feet deep and shows in the 

 photograph. 



At first the bird seemed quite shy, and flew away several times while I was 

 making preparations for the picture. Each time when she returned she would 

 alight on the edge of the nest, look around for a second or two, then place her 

 beak gently on the single egg, as if to make sure it had not been disturbed, all 

 this time uttering a low not unmusical chirp; then quietly settle down on the 

 nest. Once only did her mate return with her, then they both carefully examined 

 the egg, after which they gently and lovingly rubbed their beaks together, then 

 he flew away and she took her place on the nest again. 



The nest was situated eight feet from the ground, the lower portion was 

 composed of twigs, the upper very closely woven with grasses, shredded bark 

 and fine twigs. The cup-like interior was neatly and warmly lined with rabbit 

 fur, hair and fine feathers. 



Warm this beautiful home is and warm it should be, for nesting as they 

 do, in winter, it would take but a moment's exposure of the very severe winters 

 here to chill the tiny birds to death or freeze the unhatched eggs. 



