MAGPIES, JAYS 



(477) Cyanocitta cristata 

 crista ta 



(Linn.) (Gr., blue, jay; Lat., crested). 



BLUE JAY. A beautiful, crested 

 species abundant and well known 

 throughout its range. Plumage as 

 shown, the sexes being alike. Crest 

 and back purpHsh-gray, shading to 

 intense blue on the wings and tail; 

 under parts gray and white; greater 

 coverts, secondaries and outer tail 

 feathers broadly tipped with white. 

 L., 11.50; Ex., 1700; W., 5.50; 

 T., 6.00; Tar., 1.35; B., 1.25. Nesl 

 — Of twigs and rootlets, preferably 

 in small pines but sometimes in 

 bushes. 



Range — Resident in eastern U. S. 

 and Canada; replaced in Fla. by the 

 smaller FLORIDA BLUE JAY (C. 

 c. florincola). 



can imitate almost any bird and give a great variety of 

 whistles of their own make-up. 



Their fiight is easy and graceful but not swift. They 

 feed a great deal on the ground, where ordinarily they walk 

 rather sedately; if, however, they are in a hurry they hop, 

 often using their wings to assist them. Their nests are very 

 large globular structures of sticks; an opening on the side 

 gives entrance to the nest proper, which is made of straw; 

 these may be found at any height in trees or in dense 

 thickets. 



BLUE JAYS are very abundant throughout the east, 

 from central Canada to the Gulf States. The sajdng that 

 "beauty is but skin deep" may well be applied to this 

 species. I really believe that their cloaks of beautiful 

 feathers cover more deviltry than exists in any other bird, 

 unless it be the Magpie. They are the terrors of all small 

 birds, which commence scolding and making much fuss as 

 long as one is in their neighborhood. During summer, 



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