- Jays migrate south every fall
- These jays always join crookbeaks when migrating
- If the jays are separated, they’ll wander until they find another group of crookbeaks
- Conclusion: Jays must lack the navigational ability to find their way south on their own
What would strengthen the argument that jays lack the navigational ability? Let’s go through the answer choices.
(A) Croton's jays lay their eggs in the nests of crookbeaks, which breed upon completing their southern migration.
This choice does not tell us anything whatsoever about the navigational ability of the jays. A is out.
(B) The three species most closely related to crookbeaks do not migrate at all.
Irrelevant. We’re looking for something that strengthens the argument that jays lack the navigational ability to find their way south on their own. B is out.
(C) In the spring, Croton's jays migrate north in the company of Tattersall warblers.
Interesting. So we’re told Croton’s jays follow crookbeaks when they migrate south. Now, we’re told Croton’s jays follow Tattersall warblers when migrating north. Let’s keep this one.
(D) Species other than Croton's jays occasionally accompany flocks of migrating crookbeaks.
We don’t care about species other than Croton’s jays. D is out.
(E) In the spring, crookbeaks migrate north before Croton's jays do.
We know Croton’s jays migrate south with crookbeaks. The fact that crookbeaks migrate north before Croton’s jays do does not really impact the argument.
Answer is C. _________________
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