T H E F L O R I D A JAY.
CORVUS FLORIDANUS, BARTRAM.
P L A T E L X X X V I I . MALE AND FEMALE.
THIS beautiful and lively bird is a constant resident in the southwestern
parts of Florida, from which country it seldom if ever removes
to any great distance. It is never seen in the State of Louisiana, far
less in that of Kentucky, and when CHARLES BONAPARTE asserts that
it occurs in these districts, we must believe that he has been misinformed.
It is so confined to the particular portions of Florida winch it inhabits,
that even on the eastern shores of that peninsula few are to be seen. I
have never observed it in any part of Georgia, or farther to the eastward.
The flight of the Florida Jay is generally performed at a short distance
from the ground, and consists either of a single sailing sweep, as it
shifts from one tree or bush to another, or of continuous flappings, with
a slightly undulated motion, in the manner of the Magpie (Corvus Pica)
or of the Canada Jay (Corvus canadensis). Its notes are softer than those
of its relative the Blue Jay (Corvus cristatus), and are more frequently
uttered. Its motions are also more abrupt and quicker. It is seen passing
from one tree to another with expanded tail, stopping for a moment
to peep at the intruder, and hopping off to another place the next minute.
It frequently descends to the ground, along the edges of oozy or marshy
places, to search for snails, of which, together with berries of various
kinds, fruits and insects, its food consists. It is easily approached
during the breeding season, but is more shy at other times. It is a
great destroyer of the eggs of small birds, as well as of young birds,
which it chases and kills by repeated blows of its bill on their heads,
after which it tears their flesh with avidity.
The Florida Jay is easily kept in a cage, where it will feed on recent
or dried fruits, such as figs, raisins, and the kernels of various nuts, and
exhibits as much gaiety as the Blue Jay does in a similar state. Like
the latter, it secures its food between its feet, and breaks it into pieces
before swallowing it, particularly the acorns of the Live Oak, and the
snails which it picks up among the Sword Palmetto. No sooner have
the seeds of that plant become black, or fully ripe, than the Florida Jay
makes them almost its sole food for a time, and wherever a patch of
these troublesome plants are to be seen, there also is the Jay to be met
with. I have called the Palmetto a troublesome plant, because its long,
narrow, and serrated leaves are so stiff, and grow so close together, that
it is extremely difficult to walk among them, the more so that it usually
grows in places where the foot is seldom put without immediately sinking
in the mire to a depth of several inches.
The nest of the Florida Jay is sparingly formed of dry sticks, placed
across each other, and, although of a rounded shape, is so light that the
bird is easily seen through it. It is lined with fibrous roots, placed in a
circular manner. The eggs are from four to six, of a light olive colour,
marked with irregular blackish dashes. Only one brood is raised in the
season.
I had a fine opportunity of observing a pair of these birds in confinement,
in the city of New Orleans. They had been raised out of a
family of five, taken from the nest, and when I saw them had been two
years in confinement. They were in full plumage, and extremely beautiful.
The male was often observed to pay very particular attentions to
the female, at the approach of spring. They were fed upon rice, and all
kinds of dried fruit. Their cage was usually opened after dinner, when
both immediately flew upon the table, fed on the almonds which were
given them, and drank claret diluted with water. Both affected to imitate
particular sounds, but in a very imperfect manner. These attempts
at mimicry probably resulted from their having been in company with parrots
and other birds. They suffered greatly when moulting, becoming
almost entirely bare, and requiring to be kept near the fire. The female
dropped two eggs in the cage, but never attempted to make a nest, although
the requisite materials were placed at her disposal.
I have represented a pair of Florida Jays on a branch of the Persimon
tree, ornamented with its richly coloured fruits. This tree grows to a
moderate height as well as girth. The wood is hard and compact. The
leaves drop off* at an early period. The fruit, when fully ripe, is grateful
to the palate. The Persimon occurs in all parts of the United
States, but abounds in the low lands of Florida and Louisiana, probably
more than in any other portion of the Union.
CORVUS FLORIDANUS, Ch. Bonaparte, Synops. of Birds of the United States, p. 5 8 .
FLORIDA J AT, Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Ornith. vol. ii. PI. 13. fig. 1.
Adult Male. Plate LXXXVII. Fig. 1.