Part 10

GREEN JAY 483. Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens. 12 inches

These Jays are very beautiful, and we are sorry to have to admit that, like all the other members of the family, they are merciless in their treatment of smaller birds. During the summer their diet consists of raw eggs with young birds “on the side,” or vice versa; later they live upon nuts, berries, insects; in fact, anything that is edible.

Note.—Practically unlimited, being imitations of those of most of the birds in the vicinity.

Nest.—Not easily found, as it is usually concealed in dense thickets. The nests are like those of other Jays, loosely made of twigs and lined with black rootlets. The four eggs that are laid in May have a grayish ground color and are thickly spotted with several shades of brown and lilac. They measure 1.05 × .80.

Range.—Fairly common in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas.

CANADA JAY 484. Perisoreus canadensis. 11½ inches

These birds are well known to hunters, trappers, and campers in the northern woods. They are great friends, especially of the lumbermen, as some of the pranks that they play serve to enliven an otherwise tedious day. They seem to be devoid of fear and enter camp and carry off everything, edible or not, that they can get hold of. They are called by guides and lumbermen by various names, such as Whiskey Jack, Moose Bird, etc.

Note.—A harsh “ca-ca-ca,” and various other sounds.

Nest.—Usually in coniferous trees at low elevations; made of twigs, moss, and feathers. The three or four eggs are gray, specked and spotted with darker (1.15 × .80). They nest early, usually before the snow begins to leave the ground and often when the mercury is below zero.

Range.—Eastern North America from northern United States northward. 484c. Labrador Jay (nigricapillus), which is found in Labrador, has the black on the hind head deeper and extending forward around the eye.

NORTHERN RAVEN 486a. Corvus corax principalis. 25 inches

The habits of all the ravens and crows are identical and are too well known to need mention. They are all very destructive to young birds and eggs. The Raven can be known by its large size, its very large bill, and lanceolate feathers on the throat. They are found in the mountains from Georgia and on the coast from Maine northward.

WHITE-NECKED RAVEN 487. Corvus cryptoleucus. 18½ inches

This species has the bases of the feathers on the back of the neck white. Found in southwestern United States.

AMERICAN CROW 488. Corvus brachyrhynchos. 19 inches

The common Crow of North America, replaced in Florida by the very similar Florida Crow (pascuus).

FISH CROW 490. Corvus ossifragus. 16 inches

This small species is found on the Atlantic Coast north to Massachusetts.

CLARKE NUTCRACKER 491. Nucifraga columbiana. 12½ inches

Clarke Crows are found abundantly in all coniferous forest on the higher mountains in their range. They are very peculiar birds, having some of the traits of Woodpeckers, but more of those of the Jays.

They are very active, very noisy, and very inquisitive, sharing with the Rocky Mountain Jay the names of “Camp Robber,” “Moose Bird,” etc. They are great travellers and may, one season, be absent where they were abundant the preceding one.

Notes.—Various calls and imitations like those of all others of the Jay family.

Nest.—Of sticks, at high elevations on horizontal boughs of coniferous trees. The four eggs have a pale greenish-gray ground, thickly sprinkled with darker (1.25 × .92).

Range.—Mountains of western North America, casually east to Kansas.

STARLING 493. Sturnus vulgaris. 8½ inches

Plumage metallic green and purple, heavily spotted above and below with buffy or white.

These European birds were introduced into New York a number of years ago, and are now common there and spreading to other localities in Connecticut and about New York City. They live about the streets and in the parks, building their nests in crevices of buildings and especially in the framework of the elevated railroads of the city, and less often in trees. They lay from four to six pale-blue, unspotted eggs (1.15 × .85). How they will affect other bird life, in case they eventually become common throughout the country, is a matter of conjecture, but from what I have seen of them they are quarrelsome and are masters of the English Sparrow, and may continue their domineering tactics to the extent of driving more of our song birds from the cities.

BOBOLINK 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 7¼ inches