90 
BIRDS OF COLORADO. 
Kansas line. They become more common westward, until at 
50 miles from the foothills they are not uncommon locally along- 
the banks of the larger streams. From the foothills through 
the mountains below 8,000 feet, they are very common and 
characteristic. A few breed as high as 11,000 feet and winter 
to 9,000 feet. On the plains and among the foothills nestbuild- 
ing begins in March and the earliest eggs the first week in April. 
Young are ready to fly the last of May. In the mountains the 
young scarcely leave the nest before the first of July. 
478b. Cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha. Long-crested Jay. 
Resident; common. Seldom strays far east of the foot- 
hills, but has been taken in winter by Capt. P. M. Thorne at 
Fort Lyon. Very common from the edge of the plains west- 
ward through the mountains. Breeds from the base of the foot- 
hills to timber-line, but seldom below 7,000 feet. Winters from 
the edge of the plains to nearly 10,000 feet. The upward 
movement from the plains begins early in May. Eggs are 
found the last of May and all through June. Fully fledged 
young are noted the last of June. The return movement begins 
the last of September. 
480. Aphelocoma woodhousei. Woodhouse’s Jay. 
Resident; common. Most common along the base of the 
foothills and the lower wooded mountains. Not often seen on 
the plains of eastern Colorado, but has been taken by Capt. 
P. M. Thorne at Fort Lyon from October to April. Breeds 
from 5,000 to 8,000 feet, and most commonly at about 6,000 
feet. Eggs are laid the last of April and first week in May. 
Winters in the lower valleys and along the edge of the plains 
at about 5,000 feet. In the fall has been known to wander to 
9,500 feet. 
484a. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis. Rocky Mountain 
Jay. 
Resident; common. Remains near timber line all the 
year round. During the winter descends a few hundred feet, 
and occasionally a few wander down to the foothills, but the 
bulk remain above 9,000 feet even in the coldest weather. 
Breeds early, usually by the middle of April, which at that 
altitude of 8,000 to 11,500 feet is long before the snows cease. 
F. M. Drew says of this species in San Juan County, “In autumn, 
when on his first tour of inspection around the house, he hops 
along in a curious sidling manner just like a school girl in a 
slow hurry. White-headed, grave and sedate, he seems a very 
paragon of propriety, and, if you appear a suitable personage, he 
will be apt to give you a bit of advice. Becoming confidential, 
he sputters out a lot of nonsense in a manner which causes you 
