Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/228

 184 Bird- Lore seems evident that these nest -robbing propensities are not so general as has been heretofore supposed. If this habit were as prevalent as some writers have asserted, and if it were true that eggs and young of smaller birds con- stitute the chief food of the Blue Jay during the breeding season, the small birds of any section where Jays are fairly abundant would be in danger of extermination. Insects are eaten in every month in the year. The great bulk consists of beetles, grasshoppers and caterpillars. The average for the year is 23 per cent, but in August it reaches 66 per cent. Three-fourths of the Blue Jay's food consists of vegetable matter, 42 per cent of which con- sists of "mast," under which are grouped large seeds of trees and shrubs, such as acorns, chestnuts, beechnuts, chinquapins, and some others. Blue Jays prefer mast to corn, or indeed any other vegetable food, for they eat the greatest amount at a time when fruit, grain and other things are most abundant. The Blue Jay gathers its fruit from Nature's orchard and vine- yard, and not from man's; corn is the only vegetable food for which the farmer suffers any loss, and here the damage is small. In fact, the exami- nation of nearly 300 stomachs shows that the Blue Jay certainly does far more good than harm." The Blue Jay has an extensive range, being found in eastern North America as far north as latitude 52, and, casually, a little further; it extends westward to about 100 west longitude, in Assiniboia, and south to about 97 west longitude in northern Texas. It breeds throughout its range, but in winter most northern birds move southward. In Florida, and along the Gulf coast to southeastern Texas there is a slightly smaller race, but the ordinary observer will not be able to note any difference. The nesting places vary very greatly as to kind of trees selected and position in the tree. Sites may be found in conifers and also in deciduous trees, and even in shrubbery. The nest is usually bulky, but compactly built of twigs, bark, moss, leaves and various other materials. A set of eggs varies from 4 to 6 ; the color is greenish or buffy, irregularly spotted with shades of brown or lavender. As parents, Blue Jays are patterns. Whatever may be their reputation regarding the young of other birds, there is no question regarding their extreme solicitude for their own offspring.* Do not form your opinion about the Blue Jay from printed stories, but study this fascinating fellow for yourself and you will surely be captivated by his drollery and intelligence. There is certainly no more picturesque sight in bird life than to see a flock of Jays in the fall of the year flying with outspread tails, from one nut tree to another, screaming and calling to each other at the tops of their voices, or darting here and there among the gor- geously tinted foliage. Questions for Teachers and Students Is the Blue Jay found in your locality during the entire year ? If not, whem does it arrive ? When does it leave in the fall ? Give your opinion of the habits of the Blue Jay — this must be the results of your own observations of the live bird. How many different kinds of trees have you found Blue Jays nesting in ? Give location of each nest and materials used in construction. Tell what you have personally observed about the food of Blue Jays. Who was Linnfeus ? What made him famous ?
 * Read about Blue Jay life in 'A Bird-Lover in the West,' by Olive Thorne Miller.