GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS WEST OF 100TH MERIDIAN. 309 
As will be noticed, Alaska specimens appear to average considerably smaller than 
those from Maine. 
Var. capitalis undergoes a decided increase in length of wing, without a corresponding 
increase in size of tail. 
In obscurus the proportions of wing and tail are reversed, it being the only one which 
has the tail shorter than the wing. 
Habits. —As Northern California is reached, the Oregon gray jay becomes a familiar 
object of attention in the pine woods, of which it is a constant resident. Along the 
Upper Des Chutes River the “meat birds,” as they are suggestively termed by the 
hunters, were very numerous; so numerous, in fact, and so quietly persistent in their 
attendance about the cook-fire, that they became positive nuisances. When they are 
inclined towards familiarity, they carry their boldness to a surprising extent. Every 
morning about sun-up, from six to a dozen or more presented themselves in the trees 
overhanging camp, and the momentary absence of the cook from his charge was con¬ 
strued as an invitation to the feast, and down they swooped upon the nearest morsel 
of food. Almost everything edible seemed to be acceptable, although their preference 
for raw meat was plainly evidenced. Finally, when the cook's patience gave out, the 
shotgun was brought into requisition, which diminished the number, without having 
any visible effect in checking the rapacity of the survivors. Several were readily 
caught by means of a bent pin fastened to a string and baited with scraps of venison. 
They are not always by any means so bold as in this locality, and a dark form, visible 
for an instant as it Hits noiselessly through the sombre pines, is often the only proof 
of the presence of the species. 
I have always found the Rocky Mountain gray jay to be a very silent bird. But 
this species has a variety of odd notes, a sort of squeaking, whining call being the most 
common. Cooper also assigns this species a “considerable variety of song.” 
TYRANNID^E—Tyrant Flycatchers. 
Tyrannus Cuvier. 
T. verticalis, Say. Arkansas Flycatcher. 
A very numerous summer resident. It was not observed by us farther north than 
Southern Oregon, but doubtless this was owing to the lateness of the season, as it was 
found by Snckley at The Dalles, and even farther north in Washington Territory. 
The T. carolinensis was not met with, but, according to Mr. Ridgway, occurs iu sum¬ 
mer in Western Nevada (Truckee Valley). 
Myiarchus Cabanis. 
M. cinerascens (Lawr.). Ash-throated Flycatcher. 
Common on the foot-hills near Carson, but apparently a rare summer visitant far¬ 
ther north along the eastern slope. A single individual was seen at Honey Lake, Cal¬ 
ifornia. 
Sayorrnis Bonaparte. 
S. say as (Bp.). Say’s Flycatcher. 
Numerous along the eastern slope. This species is in the habit of building about 
barns and outbuildings, iu this respect being like the eastern Phoebe. A curioust nest¬ 
ing site selected by one pair was a little niche in the sandy wall of a disused well, and 
some twenty feet or more from the top. The problem of getting the young up the 
old birds had yet to solve. 
The S. nigricans appears not to be present in this region, although it is common to 
the west of the mountains in Oregon. 
Contopus Cabot. 
C. borealis (Sw.). Olive-sided Flycatcher. 
This flycatcher occurs in summer all along the eastern slope up to the Columbia 
River, and probably still farther to the north. It does not appear to be as numerous 
here as in the Rocky Mountains, or even iu the region west of the Sierras. 
C. virens richardsoni (Sw.). Western Wood Pewee. 
A common summer visitant of the mountains. A nest found Juue 26 contained two 
eggs somewhat advanced. 
This flycatcher appears to vary the position of its nest, sometimes building in the 
