The Birds of El Paso County^ Colorado 535 



handsome plumage. Its range in winter is similar to that of 

 the Magpie, from the plains to high into the mountains, up to 

 Lake Moraine and Seven Lakes, 11,000 feet, but its breeding 

 range is much more limited, being between 6,500 and 8,000 

 feet. 



Its food consists of almost anything eatable, seeds, grain, 

 insects, nuts, etc. A pair killed near St. Peter's Dome by 

 Aiken, June 13, 1907, had been after food for their young. 

 Each had its mouth full of food, and had used discretion in 

 gathering it. They had been first to the garbage pile of the 

 station, and filled the throat with soft bread, after which they 

 had caught several winged ants, grasshoppers and spiders that 

 were held by the bill, extending along the length of the man- 

 dibles. 



A nest was found by Warren in a gulch near Bear Creek 

 Canon, May 5, 1913, containing then 3 eggs, and there were 

 4 May 8, when the nest was collected, and which is now in 

 the Colorado College Museum. The nest was 6 feet from the 

 ground in a Douglas's fir sapling, only 2 inches in diameter at 

 the base, and on a branch close to the stem of the tree. The 

 outside diameter of the nest was about 10 inches, and it was 5 

 deep, the nest cavity being 4^4 inches in diameter inside, by 3 

 deep. The outer portion was a loosely constructed affair of 

 twigs, varying from J^ to J4 inch thick, while the inner por- 

 tion was of fine rootlets closely put together, and with the walls 

 of the cup varying from J^ to % inch in thickness. The struc- 

 ture was loosely laid on the few branches which supported 

 it, looking as if it might easily fall off. 



This species differs in habits from the Eastern Blue Jay, 

 being less noisy, and not going in flocks in fall and winter, 

 though parties of half a dozen or more are seen at times. 



Aphelocoma woodhousei. Woodhouse's Jay. 



Resident; rather common from the edge of the plains up 

 to 7,000 feet. 



