Description

John Cassin (1813-1869)
Plate 1,The Mexican Jay
From: Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America
Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1856
Chromolithograph
Paper dimensions:10.5 x 7″
Framed dimensions: 12.75 x 21″

With text below image:
The Mexican Jay is a medium-sized jay native to the Mexican Mountains as well as the oak woodlands of Western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. This richly colored bird lives in social groups that may include numerous breeding pairs, and can be identified by its blue upper parts and gray under parts. Recently, the American Ornithologists’ Union determined that there are now five subspecies of Mexican jays categorized into three divergent groups. They can be distinguished from one another by variations in size, color, vocalizations, and genetics.