Plate XXXVI. 



CYANURUS CRISTATUS-Blue Jay. 



This species is a permanent resident of the State, being especially conspicuous in the winter, -svhen 

 the woods have lost their green leaves and the ground is covered with snow, as their beautiful plumage 

 shows to great advantage against the dark tree-trunks, or the white back-ground. The Blue Jays are 

 also at this season more noticeable on account of the absence of most of our brilliantly-feathered birds. 

 The nest is built late in April or early in May. Two broods are generally reared during the season. 



LOCALITY: 



The Jay-bird is not very particular in regard to locality. Wherever a food supply is offered, there 

 they may build. In the country, the most frequented nesting places are tharn-trees, along canals or roads, 

 and large oaks and elms, and other forest trees about the borders of Avoods, or upon the banks of creeks 

 and rivers; but almost any tree (and, according to Dr. Brewer, sometimes a bush,) in almost an}^ location 

 may answer for the site. In towns and about country residences, apple and pear-trees in orchards, and 

 pines and other evergreen-trees in lawns, are the favorite situations. 



POSITION : 



The nest is generally built in a perpendicular fork, formed of three or more branches, or upon a 

 horizontal limb, at such a point as to receive support from several perpendicular twigs. Any combination 

 of branches, however, that will afford a suitable resting place, may be selected. I have seen two nests 

 built upon long thorns against the trunk of a honey-locust tree. Its distance from the ground varies 

 from three or four, to seventy or eighty feet. Usually it is between ten and twenty feet. 



MATERIALS : 



The foundation consists of slender sticks or weed-stalks, varying in length from a few inches to a 

 foot or more. Thorny sticks are generally used Avhen they can be had. Upon this bed of twigs is a 

 superstructure composed of mud alone, or mixed with dead leaves, grass, fibres, paper, rags, strings, or 

 feathers, in various combinations and proportions. The lining is made of rootlets matted compactly together 

 forming a smooth and regular interior. Usually the rootlets are in abundance, and form the rim of the 

 nest. However much the materials of the foundation and superstructure may vary, the lining is always 

 made of rootlets. 



The external diameter of the nest usually measures about six and one-half inches, but it may be as 

 little as six or as much as eight inches. The external depth varies from three to four inches. The 

 diameter of the cavity seldom varies more than one-eighth of an inch from four inches. The depth of 

 cavity is commonly about one and three-fourth inches. 



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