BIRDS USEFUL TO FARM AND ORCHARD 637 
California Jay 
Aphelocoma californica 
Length, 12 inches. Distinguished from 
other jays within its range by its decid- 
edly whitish underparts and brown patch 
on the back. 
Range 
Resident in California, north to South- 
ern Washington, and south to Southern 
Lower California. 
Habits and Economic Status 
This jay has the same general traits 
of character as the Eastern blue jay. He 
is the same noisy, rollicking fellow and 
occupies a corresponding position in bird 
society. Robbing the nests of smaller 
birds is a favorite pastime, and he is a 
persistent spy upon domestic fowls and 
well knows the meaning of the cackle of 
a hen. Not only does he steal eggs but 
he kills young chicks. The insect food 
of this jay constitutes about one-tenth 
of its annual sustenance. The inclusion 
of grasshoppers and caterpillars makes 
this part of the bird’s food in its favor. 
But the remainder of its animal diet in- 
cludes altogether too large a proportion 
of beneficial birds and their eggs, and 
in this respect it appears to be worse 
than its Hastern relative, the blue jay. 
While its vegetable food is composed 
largely of mast, at times its liking for 
cultivated fruit and grain makes it a 
most unwelcome visitor to the orchard 
and farm. In conclusion, it may be said 
that over much of its range this jay is 
too abundant for the best interests of 
agriculture and horticulture. 
Blue Jay 
Cyanocitta cristata 
Length, 11144 inches. The brilliant blue 
of the wings and tail combined with the 
black crescent of the upper breast and 
the crested head distinguish this species. 
Range 
Resident in the Eastern United States 
and Southern Canada, west to the Da- 
kotas, Colorado and Texas. 
Habits and Economic Status 
The blue jay is of a dual nature. Cau- 
tious and silent in the vicinity of its 
nest, away from it it is bold and noisy. 
Sly in the commission of mischief, it is 
ever ready to scream “thief” at the slight- 
est disturbance. As usual in such cases, 
its remarks are applicable to none more 
than itself, a fact neighboring nest hold- 
ers know to their sorrow, for during the 
breeding season the jay lays heavy toll 
upon the eggs and young of other birds, 
and in doing so deprives us of the serv- 
ices of species more beneficial than itself. 
Approximately three-fourths of the an- 
nual food of the blue jay is vegetable 
matter, the greater part of which is com- 
posed of mast, i. e, acorns, chestnuts, 
beechnuts, and the like. Corn is the 
principal cultivated crop upon which this 
bird feeds, but stomach analysis indi- 
cates that most of the corn taken is waste 
grain. Such noxious insects as wood- 
boring beetles, grasshoppers, eggs of vari- 
ous caterpillars, and scale insects consti- 
tute about one-fifth of its food. 
Horned Lark 
Otocoris alpestris 
Length, about seven and three-fourths 
inches. The black mark across the breast 
and the small, pointed tufts of dark 
feathers above and behind the eyes dis- 
tinguish the bird. 
Range 
Breeds throughout the United States 
(except the South Atlantic and Gulf 
states) and Canada; winters in all the 
United States except Florida. 
Habits and Economic Status 
Horned larks frequent the open coun- 
try, especially the plains and deserts. 
They associate in large flocks, are hardy, 
apparently delighting in exposed situa- 
tions in winter, and often nest before 
snow disappears. The flight is irregular 
and hesitating, but in the breeding sea- 
son the males ascend high in air, singing 
as they go, and pitch to the ground in 
one thrilling dive. The preference of 
horned larks is for vegetable food, and 
about one-sixth of this is grain, chiefly 
waste. Some sprouting grain is pulled, 
but drilled grain is safe from injury. 
California horned larks take much more 
grain than the Eastern birds, specializ- 
