Color, habits and voice combine to render the Blue Jay conspicuous. L. 11¾.
Range. Eastern North America from Georgia to Quebec; migratory only at the northern limit of its range. The Florida Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata florincola, [Case 4], Fig. 75) is smaller (L. 10¾) and grayer above. It is found throughout Florida.
Washington, rather rare P.R., common T.V., Apl. 28-May 15; Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Ossining, tolerably common P.R. Cambridge, common P.R., abundant T.V., Apl. and May; Sept. and Oct. N. Ohio, common P.R. Glen Ellyn, common P.R. SE. Minn., common P.R.
If the Blue Jay were as good as he is beautiful he would be our most popular bird. But fine feathers do not always make fine birds, and to those who judge birds by human standards the Blue Jay's loud, harsh voice, overbearing manners, and nest-robbing habits are unpardonable. With all his faults, however, the true bird enthusiast loves him still. His bright colors, dashing ways and intelligence win our admiration and we feel honored when he makes his home near ours, building in early May a well-made nest in a tree-crotch, for the reception of the 4-6 olive-green, thickly speckled eggs.
FLORIDA JAY
Aphelocoma cyanea
Size of the Blue Jay but quite unlike it in color. The head, wings and tail are grayish blue without white markings; the back is pale brown, the underparts dirty white, with the throat inconspicuously streaked and a faint bluish breast-band.
Range. Florida between lat. 27° and 30°, and chiefly along the coasts.
This is the 'Scrub-Jay' of Florida and is not to be confused with the Florida Blue Jay. It lives in districts where scrub palmetto grows, but also comes into gardens and grows where it soon responds to proper treatment and becomes semi-domesticated. It nests early in April.
CANADA JAY.
Perisoreus canadensis canadensis
Size of the Blue Jay; a gray bird with a black crown and white forehead, cheeks and throat.