496 



be described as a distinct species, or considered only a climatic race ; for as yet ornithologists 

 have been unable to define with any degree of certainty the boundary where a race ends and a 

 species begins. In the large series we have before us we can find some specimens which some- 

 what approach the allied species ; but placed side by side they can always be distinguished. One 

 specimen of G. krynicJci in fully adult plumage from Smyrna agrees exactly with examples from 

 near Constantinople, and can certainly not be looked on as an intermediate form. The Syrian 

 Jay is found in Syria and Palestine, ranging eastward into Persia. We propose shortly giving a 

 full history of this species, and reserve further particulars as to its range until then. 



The third species, the Algerian Black-headed Jay (Garrulus cervicalis), is confined to North- 

 west Africa, and is easily distinguishable by its rufous nape and by the distinct grey bars on the 

 base of the tail-feathers. 



The present is the commonest species near Constantinople, whence also, we may add, we 

 have had specimens of Garrulus glandarius. Dresser when in Bulgaria saw several Jays which 

 he believes were this species, but he did not succeed in procuring any. Messrs. Elwes and 

 Buckley write that it is found near Constantinople, and that, Mr. Robson states, it breeds in 

 the Forest of Belgrade. From the latter we understand that in its habits, voice, and mode of 

 nidification it does not in any respect differ from its ally Garrulus glandarius, its eggs being also 

 similar to those of that species. It was first described by Dr. Kaleniczenko from a specimen 

 sent to him from Georgievsk, in the Caucasus ; and this gentleman, in a paper on a collection 

 made by Professor John Krynicki in the Caucasus and Taurus, gives its range as Taurus, 

 especially near Sudak and Theodosia, and in the Caucasus near the springs of Piatigorsk and 

 the town of Georgievsk, where it is far from rare ; but it does not extend as far north as the 

 Ukraine. There is no doubt as to the bird described by Dr. Kaleniczenko being the present 

 species, and not Garrulus stridens, as he especially refers to the pure grey-coloured back, spotted 

 forehead, and rufous-tinged cheeks so characteristic of this present species. Respecting its habits 

 Dr. Kaleniczenko says but little, merely stating that it frequents the mixed forests, chiefly the 

 beech-woods, and during the winter season approaches the villages and small towns ; and we may 

 infer that in its habits and mode of nidification generally it differs but little, if at all, from the 

 Common Jay. Professor von Nordmann writes that in the Crimea and the Caucasus it replaces 

 the Common Jay, and is the only species found in the forests of Abasia and the Mountains of 

 Ghouriel. Menetries certainly speaks of Garrulus glandarius as being found in the forests of the 

 Caucasus and Lenkoran, as well as in the mountains, to an altitude of about 3000 feet ; but we 

 think that future research will prove that he referred to the present species, and not to the 

 Common Jay. 



With regard to its occurrence in Asia Minor we have no further details than those published 

 by Dr. Kriiper, who records it as " tolerably widely distributed near Smyrna, but not very 

 numerous. During the summer it frequents the thick groves and the old, well- wooded Turkish 

 graveyards on the plains, as well as the woods on the hills. In its habits it differs but little 

 from the Common Jay of Europe." He further states that he found several old nests near 

 Bumabaschir, and on the 19th of May observed a Jay fly out of an apricot-tree, in which he 

 soon discovered the nest, which was placed tolerably far from the main trunk, on a branch, and 

 was built similarly to that of G. glandarius, but, in comparison with the bird, was small ; it was 



