THE FLORIDA JAY. H9 



also is the Jay to be met with. I have called the palmetto a troublesome 

 plant, because its long, narrow, and serrated leaves are so stiff, and grow so 

 close together, that it is extremely difficult to walk among them, the more so 

 that it usually grows in places where the foot is seldom put without imme- 

 diately sinking in the mire to a depth of several inches. 



The nest of the Florida Jay is sparingly formed of dry sticks, placed across 

 each other, and, although of a rounded shape, is so light that the bird is 

 easily seen through it. It is lined with fibrous roots, placed in a circular 

 manner. The eggs are from four to six, of a light olive colour, marked with 

 irregular blackish dashes. Only one brood is raised in the season. 



I had a fine opportunity of observing a pair of these birds in confinement, 

 in the city of New Orleans. They had been raised out of a family of five, 

 taken from the nest, and when I saw them had been two years in confine- 

 ment. They were in full plumage, and extremely beautiful. The male was 

 often observed to pay very particular attentions to the female, at the approach 

 of spring. They were fed upon rice, and all kinds of dried fruit. Their 

 cage was usually opened after dinner, when both immediately flew upon the 

 table, fed on the almonds which were given them, and drank claret diluted 

 with water. Both affected to imitate particular sounds, but in a very 

 imperfect manner. These attempts at mimicry probably resulted from their 

 having been in company with parrots and other birds. They suffered greatly 

 when moulting, becoming almost entirely bare, and required to be kept near 

 the fire. The female dropped two eggs in the cage, but never attempted to 

 make a nest, although the requisite materials were placed at her disposal. 



I have represented a pair of Florida Jays on a branch of the persimon 

 tree, ornamented with its richly coloured fruits. This tree grows to a 

 moderate height as well as girth. The wood is hard and compact. The 

 leaves drop off at an early period. The fruit, when fully ripe, is grateful to 

 the palate. The persimon occurs in all parts of the United States, but 

 abounds in the low lands of Florida and Louisiana, probably more than in 

 any other portion of the Union. 



Corvus floridands, Bonap. Syn., p. 58. 



Florida Jay, Garrulusfloridamis, Bonap. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 



Florida Jay, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 230. 



Florida Jay, Corvus jioridanus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i. p. 444. 



Male, 11|-, 14. 



Confined to the Floridas. Not very common. Resident. 



Bill short, strong, straight, compressed, acute; upper mandible with the 

 dorsal outline nearly straight, the sides sloping, the edges sharp and over- 

 lapping, the tip slightly declinate; lower mandible with the back narrow, the 



