common P.R. Glen Ellyn,
common P.R. SE. Minn., S.R., Mch.-Nov., a few in
mild winters.

A bird of open places--shores, plains, and prairies, and roadways--who
runs (not hops) nimbly ahead of one, or, with a short note, rises, and
on its long, pointed wings, flies on ahead. He usually returns to the
ground, but may alight on a fence; his long hind toe-nail not being
suited to grasping a small perch. The weak, twittering song is uttered
on the wing, when the bird, like its relative the Skylark, mounts into
the air. It also sings from a perch near the ground.

The Prairie Horned Lark is the first of our small birds to nest, making
its home on the ground and laying four finely speckled eggs early in
March. After the nesting season the birds gather in flocks.

CROWS, JAYS, ETC. FAMILY CORVIDAE

BLUE JAY

_Cyanocitta cristata cristata. Case 2, Fig. 20_

Color, habits and voice combine to render the Blue
Jay conspicuous. L. 11-3/4.

_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. 10-3/4) 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