DUSKY, GRAY, AND SLATE-COLORED 329 



Jays flying down from the neighboring trees. They 

 would settle on my back, head, or shoulders, tugging and 

 pulling at each loose shred of my coat, until one would 

 think that their only object was to help me in all ways 

 possible. At such times their note was a low plain- 

 tive cry." 



The nest-building commences early in March, and a 

 site upon the horizontal branches high up in a fir tree is 

 commonly chosen. Both birds bring material, — twigs 

 and moss from the sides of the trees, and bits of bark, — 

 and both work at shaping the nest. At least two weeks 

 are occupied in this work and two more in incubation. 

 On account of the high altitude chosen for residence and 

 the lofty site of the nest itself, the breeding habits of 

 these Jays are less frequently observed than those of the 

 jays of the valleys and foot-hills. In California this 

 species occurs only in the northwestern corner and as far 

 south as Mendocino County. 



491. CLARKE NUTCRACKER. — Nvcifraga columbiana. 

 Family : The Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. 



Length: 12.00-13.00. 



Adults : Bill cylindrical ; wings long and pointed ; uniform light gray, 

 becoming whitish on forehead and chin ; wings and middle tail- 

 feathers glossy black ; a patch on wings and outer tail-feathers 

 white. 



Young : Similar to adult, but upper parts shaded with brown, and under 

 parts more or less barred with brown. 



Geographical Distribution : Higher coniferous forest of Western North 

 America. 



Breeding Range: In California the pine regions of the Sierra Nevada 

 from Mt. Shasta to the San Bernardino mountains. 



Breeding Season : March 15 to May 15. 



