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Field Marks. Distinctions as above, and loud, characteristic voice. Steller’s Jay, 
Clarke’s Nutcracker, and the Magpie all have an extended vocabulary with much in com- 
mon. The most usual call of this species is a harsh “Shaack-shaack-shaack" or “Chack-ah, 
chack-ah, chack-ah," quite different from the clear “ Jay-jay-jay ” of the Blue Jay. 
Nesting. A bulky mass of twigs lined with mud and rootlets, usually in evergreen 
thickets. 
Distribution . Western North America from Alaska to Central America. In Canada, 
east to the edge of the plains. Occasionally in Saskatchewan. 
SUBSPECIES. Steller’s Jay is divided into a number of subspecies, the following 
of which occur in Canada. The typical form, Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri, is the bird of Van- 
couver island and coast from Cook inlet, Alaska, to Oregon. The Queen Charlotte Jay 
Cyanocitta stelleri carlottae is confined to Queen Charlotte islands. The blues are 
darker, and the black is deeper and more extensive. The Black-headed Jay Cyanocitta 
stelleri annectens is the bird of the interior. It is most like the typical form, but 90 an 
average has more decided whitish blue streaking on the forehead, and usually has a silvery 
grey spot over the eye. These characters are not constant, however, some coast birds 
having considerable forehead streaking, and many interior ones having no spot over the 
eye. 
A true Jay in all its habits, ways, and actions. All said of the Blue 
Jay will apply to this species, but, it being more numerous in its natural 
habitat, must be considered more seriously. 
484. Canada Jay (Including Rocky Mountain Jay and Grey Jay), whiskey 
jack, moose-bird, camp robber, meat-bird. Perisoreus canadensis. L, 13. Plate 
XLIV B. About the size of a Robin; soft, plumbeous ash; head, throat, and breast white, 
with dark cap over rear crown and nape. 
Distinctions. Size of Robin. Body a soft neutral grey colour, without pattern, and 
a very loose, fluffy plumage. A dark cap and white forehead, face, and throat. The 
juvenile has an evenly dark, almost black, head and neck. 
Field Marks. Size; in adult, uniform grey coloration, and white forehead and face, 
with dark cap or nape. Juveniles have an almost black head and face, gradually greying 
above and below towards tail. 
Nesting. A deep nest of twigs and fibres, thickly lined with fur or feathers, in dense 
coniferous trees. Eggs deposited very early. In northern Manitoba, eggs have been 
recorded in January, with official thermometer registering fifty degrees below zero. 
Distribution. The northern coniferous forest of North America. In Canada, across 
the continent, coming south along the mountains. 
SUBSPECIES. The race that inhabits the greater part of Canada is the Northern 
Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis canadensis. In the mountains, south from central 
British Columbia, except near the coast, is the Rocky Mountain Jay Perisoreus canadensis 
capitalis, characterized by slightly lighter general coloration and the extension of the white 
forehead on the crown, reducing the dark cap to little more than a nape bar. On Vancouver 
island and the adjoining coast is the Grey Jay, given in the Check-iist as Perisoreus 
obscurus griseus , and accredited full specific distinction, but, as intergrades can be demon- 
strated, in the opinion of the writer, worthy of only subspecific status. 
It is characterized by slightly brownish coloration and in having the 
feathers of the back distinctly white-shafted. 
If the other Jays are clownish, one scarcely knows how to characterize 
the Canada Jay. It has all the family characteristics in an exaggerated 
form, but seems to lack the keen appreciation of its own humor that the 
others possess. Its entire lack of self-consciousness or poise is notable, and 
it does the most impudent things with an air of the most matter of fact 
innocence. No sooner is the camper’s fire lighted than the Whiskey Jack 
is on hand for any good thing that may come its way. Almost before the 
echo of the rifle has died on the hills, he is in at the death to share in the 
offal of the game. Food on the camp table, bacon in the frying pan, or 
even soap by the wash dish are never safe from it, and if any little 
thing is missing in camp, its absence can well be blamed on the Whiskey 
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