The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and central United States; some eastern populations may be migratory. Resident populations are also in Newfoundland, Canada; breeding populations are found across southern Canada. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, and is common in residential areas. Its coloration is predominantly blue, with a white chest and underparts, and a blue crest; it has a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Males and females are similar in size and plumage, and plumage does not vary throughout the year. Four subspecies have been recognized.

Blue jay

Temporal range: Piacenzian - present

Zira cigarettes factory No 7 5th dist. NJ

History of tobacco silks In Cigarette packs:

Originally issued in American cigarette packets between 1905 and 1917, these ‘giveaways’ proved a very popular promotional item which was taken up by twenty British tobacco manufacturers at the advent of the First World War (1914). Silk cigarette inserts continued to be issued following paper restrictions announced by the government in 1917, but had faded out by the mid-1920s, except for a small resurgence in 1933-4. The subjects included religion, cricket, football, art, flags, army and naval badges, flowers, and clan tartans. Silk inserts were an adaptation of the popular cigarette cards. In North America between 1900 and 1936 silk cigarette cards, or inserts, were produced by tobacco companies as calculated promotional giveaways for men to pass on to women.