Nov., 1918 



NESTING OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN JAY 



199 



daily but no evidence of nests or nest building and the birds would lead no- 

 where. Believing it too early, on February 17 I shot four jays which proved 

 to be two males and two females. Examination showed the organs not devel- 

 oped. Don't think the birds would nest for a month. [These birds were 

 brought to the Museum, where re-examination verified this condition.] Also 

 collected a Clarke Nutcracker near timber line. Tt showed only slight devel- 

 opment. On February 18, blowing a terrific gale and nothing more to learn, 

 prepared to return to Denver." The only other birds reported by him were, 

 "a few Rocky Mountain Creepers seen, also several Mountain Chickadees, 

 which are comparatively common at timber line." 



Fig. 36. Mr. J. H. Hatton, of the Forestry Service, act- 

 ing AS HOST TO A ROCKY MOUNTAIN JAY. 



In 1916, an artist friend being about to visit his summer residence in the 

 hills for an indulgence in his hobby of painting mountain winter scenes, I ar- 

 ranged with him to help me out. He arrived on April 6, and, starting a fire and 

 some cooking, the smoke and fumes soon brought some jays. These were soon 

 gorging themselves and packing off to hide in neighboring trees what they 

 could not eat. The next day, the 7th, upon their departure, he followed them 

 at a respectful distance as long as the difficult walking would permit, when 

 they were lost to sight and he started to return. Glancing back, he discovered 

 the birds following him, which they continued to do until the cabin was reached, 

 where they again demanded a "hand out", receiving it as. though they had 



