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i I documented scrub -jay dispersals exceeding 5 miles have been across unsuitable habitat conditions, including suburban residential communities, pastures, and woodlands (Fitzpatrick et al. 1994a). Predators and the Sentinel stem Predators on adult Florida scrub -jays are relatively few, with the exception of falconid and accjpitrid raptors. (-louse cats and bobcats (Fees rclfus) have been documented to prey on adult scrub -jays (Fitzpatrick et al. 1994a). Eastern coach whips (Masticol-Ws flagellum), Eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais couperll, and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) occasionally prey on adult scrub -jays (Fitzpatrick et al. 1994a). However, the most dangerous native predators to scrub - jays are the Cooper's hawk Wccipiter cooperhl, sharp -shinned hawk (A. striatus), merlin (Falco columbarius), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), and peregrine falcon (F. peregrinus) (Breininger et al. 1995, 1996a, 1996b; Fitzpatrick et al. 1994x; McGowan and Wooifenden 1989). In response to foraging efficiency of these raptors, Florida scrub -jays have evolved a well-developed sentinel system (McGowan and Wooifenden 1989). Individuals within a family group take turns occupying an exposed perch above the oak shrubs scanning for predators. When a raptor is spotted nearby, the sentinel jay gives a distinctive warning call and all group members dive for cover in the nearest dense vegetation. Face Habits apd_Caehing Florida scrub -jays forage mostly on or near the ground, often along the edges of natural or man-made openings. Animal food items consist primarily of terrestrial arthropods (Wooifenden and Fitzpatrick 1984; Fernald and Toland 1991; King et al. 1992). Vertebrate prey items comprise the minority of the diet, but may include a wide array of species weighing up to 1 ounce (more than 1/3 the body weight of a scrub -jay), including treefrogs, lizards, snakes, nestling birds, and mice (Toland unpubl. data; King et al, 1992). Acorns are extremely important in the diet of Florida -scrub jays from August through November. During this tirne, scrub -jays harvest and cache thousands of scrub oak acorns throughout their territory, Each scrub -jay may cache 6,000 to 8,000 acorns per year (DeGange et al, 1989). Acorns are typically buried beneath the surface of the sand in openings in the scrub during fail, and retrieved and consumed in winter and early spring. Scrub -jays on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge frequently cache acorns in pine trees (Pinus spp.) at heights of from 1 to 30 feet (0.3 to 91-11), usually in forks of branches, distal pine boughs, under bark, or on epiphytes (Toland unpubl. data).