328 



LAND BIRDS 



California Breeding Range : Higher mountains of Northern California. 



Breeding Season: March 15 to May 15. 



Nest: Compactly built of fine twigs, interlaced with dry grass, moss, 



and plant fibre ; lined with fine tree moss ; placed usually high up 



in fir trees. 

 ^ggs : 4 or 5 ; pearl or greenish gray, spotted and flecked quite evenly 



with lavender and gray. Size 1.04 X 0.79. 



We are accustomed to think of jays as mostly blue, or, 

 at least, having some blue in their plumage, but here is 

 a variety that has not a single blue feather. 



From the tip of his crestless head ^,*#J*!^ to the 



tip of his long 

 tail he is sober 

 black, white, and 

 brownish gray. 

 and elegant in 

 are his relatives, 

 fronted, and Cali- 

 s o m e one has 

 much more like 

 chickadee. 



Like the chickadee also, he is easily tamed, coming 

 to house or camp for food and becoming so familiar as to 

 be a source of great amusement. It is only necessary 

 to settle oneself quietly and feed him to be overwhelmed 

 with his attentions. Mr. Anthony tells of a funny ex- 

 perience with these birds. He says : " While dressing 

 deer in the thick timber I have been almost covered with 



485. Oregon Jay. 

 " Nol a single blue feather. " 



Nor is he smooth 

 appearance, as 

 the coast, blue- 

 fornia jays. As 

 said, he looks 

 an overgrown 



