theastern Texas.

It is not likely that the eggs of this species differ essentially from
those of many of the others.

481. CALIFORNIA JAY. _Aphelocoma californica californica._

Range.--Pacific coast of California and Washington.

This is a very abundant species both about habitations and in low
woodlands. They are very bold and familiar, stealing everything they may
take a fancy to, and frequently robbing smaller birds of their eggs and
young. They are said to be more tame and familiar than the eastern Blue
Jay, thereby bringing their bad habits much more frequently to the
attention of the masses. They nest most often in bushes or low trees,
but not as a rule, far above the ground. Their eggs are a bright bluish
green color, speckled and spotted with brownish and lavender. Size
1.10 x .80.

481a. XANTUS'S JAY. _Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca._

Range.--Lower California.

The habits and nests and eggs of this lighter colored variety do not
differ from those of the California Jay.

481b. BELDING'S JAY. _Aphelocoma californica obscura._

Range.--San Pedro Martir Mts. Lower California.

A darker variety of the California Jay, whose nesting habits will not
differ in any essential particular.

481.1. SANTA CRUZ JAY. _Aphelocoma insularis._

Range.--Santa Cruz Island, California.

This species is the largest and darkest colored bird of the genus
_Aphelocoma_. It is said to be a very abundant species on the island
from which it takes its name, and to have the habits and traits common
to all the members of the Jay family. The nesting habits are the same as
those of the others, but the eggs are slightly larger, averaging 1.15 x
.85. Set of three in the collection of John Lewis Childs, taken by R. H.
Beck on May 10, 1897.

482. ARIZONA JAY. _Aphelocoma sieberi arizonae._

Range.--Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south into Mexico.

[Illustration 309: Bright bluish green.]
[Illustration: 482--484a--485.]
[Illustration: Greenish blue.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 308

482a. COUCH'S JAY. _Aphelocoma sieberi couchi._

Range.--Eastern Mexico, north to western Texas.

483. GREEN JAY. _Xanthoura luxuosa glaucescens._

Range.--Northeastern Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

This handsome species has a bright blue crown and patches under the
eyes, the rest of the upper parts being greenish; throat and sides of
head black, underparts greenish white. This gaudy and noi