FLORIDA JAY. 445 



makes them almost its sole food for a time, and wherever a patch of 

 these troublesome plants are to be seen, there also is the Jay to be met 

 with. I have called the Palmetto a troublesome plant, because its long, 

 narrow, and serrated leaves are so stiff, and grow so close together, that 

 it is extremely difficult to walk among them, the more so that it usually 

 grows in places where the foot is seldom put without immediately sink- 

 ing in the mire to a depth of several inches. 



The nest of the Florida Jay is sparingly formed of dry sticks, placed 

 across each other, and, although of a rounded shape, is so light that the 

 bird is easily seen through it. It is hned with fibrous roots, placed in a 

 circular manner. The eggs are from four to six, of a light olive colour, 

 marked with irregular blackish dashes. Only one brood is raised in the 

 season. 



I had a fine opportunity of observing a pair of these birds in con- 

 finement, in the city of New Orleans. They had been raised out of a 

 family of five, taken from the nest, and when I saw them had been two 

 years in confinement. They were in full plumage, and extremely beau- 

 tiful. The male was often observed to pay very particular attentions to 

 the female, at the approach of spring. They were fed upon rice, and all 

 kinds of dried fruit. Their cage was usually opened after dinner, when 

 both immediately flew upon the table, fed on the almonds which were 

 given them, and drank claret diluted with water. Both affected to imi- 

 tate particular sounds, but in a very Imperfect manner. These attempts 

 at mimicry probably resulted from their having been in company with par- 

 rots and other birds. They suffered greatly when moulting, becoming 

 almost entirely bare, and requiring to be kept near the fire. The female 

 dropped two eggs in the cage, but never attempted to make a nest, al- 

 though the requisite materials were placed at her disposal. 



I have represented a pair of Florida Jays on a branch of the Persimon 

 tree, ornamented with its richly coloured fruits. This tree grows to a 

 moderate height as well as girth. The wood is hard and compact. The 

 leaves drop off at an early period. The fruit, when fully ripe, is grate- 

 ful to the palate. The Persimon occurs in all parts of the United 

 States, but abounds in the low lands of Florida and Louisiana, probably 

 more than in any other portion of the Union. 



CoRvus FLORiDANus, Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 58. 

 Florida Jay, Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Omith. vol. ii. PI. 13. fig. 1. 



Adult Male. Plate LXXXVII. Fig. 1. 



