The NUTCRACKER (_Nucifraga caryocatactes_) belongs to a group of Ravens
met with in most various and distant parts of the globe, some of its
members inhabiting the whole of the north of Europe and a large portion
of Asia, while others are found both in America and on the Himalaya
Mountains. The body of this bird is slender, the neck long, the head
large and flat, with a long, slender, and rounded beak, the upper
mandible being straight, or only very slightly curved. The wings are of
moderate size, blunt, and graduated, the fourth quill being longer than
the rest; the tail is short, and rounded at its extremity; the feet are
strong, and furnished with powerful toes, armed with strong hooked claws.
The plumage is thick and soft; its predominating colour is a dark brown,
without spots upon the top of the head and nape, although elsewhere each
individual feather is tipped with an oval mark of a pure white; the wings
and tail-feathers are of a brilliant black, the latter being tipped with
white at their extremities; the under tail-covers are likewise white;
the legs are brown, and the beak and feet black. It is from thirteen to
fourteen inches long, and from twenty-two to twenty-three and a half
inches broad; the tail measures about five inches.
[Illustration: THE FLUTE BIRD (_Gymnorhina tibicen_).]
This species frequents thickly-wooded mountains, and the wide-spread
forests of Northern Europe and Asia, showing a decided preference
for districts covered with Siberian pines, and may be met with in
considerable numbers in certain localities, while in others, in the
immediate vicinity, it will be entirely wanting: in Sweden it is
exceedingly common, but is seldom seen in Norway. In appearance the
Nutcracker is awkward and clumsy, but in reality it is extremely
active and adroit, walking upon the ground with ease, and climbing, or
suspending itself from the branches with the dexterity of a Titmouse; its
flight is light but slow, and is produced by powerful strokes and broad
extensions of the wings. The voice is a loud, screeching, resounding cry,
and though most of its senses appear to be very equally developed, its
intelligence will not bear comparison with that of most other members of
the family.
But little is known about the habits of these birds during the breeding
season, for their nests are usually built in the inmost recesses of some
thicket almost inaccessible to man. March, we are told, is the month
in which they lay their eggs, and, if this be the case, they must in
many places undertake the cares of a family whilst snow still lies deep
upon the ground. The nest, as we learn from Schütt, is neatly formed of
dried fir twigs, woven together with the green leaves of the same tree,
probably for the purpose of decorating the exterior; it is lined with
a layer of moss or young bark, beautifully worked in, which gives a
round and finished appearance to the interior. The eggs are pale blueish
green, marked here and there with light brown spots. Like other Ravens,
the Nutcracker subsists principally upon insects, seeds, and fruit, but
displays many of the propensities of birds of prey; it attacks a great
variety of animals weaker than itself, and after biting them in the
neck, breaks open their head and devours the brains. We have heard of an
instance in which one of these birds ate a squirrel that was laid before
it. Hard nuts are among the favourite articles of their food, and it is
most curious to see them seize one in their claws and dexterously crack
it, always keeping the broad end carefully uppermost during the process:
in this manner they will rapidly dispose of a large supply.
* * * * *
The PIPING CROWS (_Phonygamæ_) are short-tailed Ravens, with very long
conical beaks; the upper mandible is hooked, and armed with teeth-like
appendages near the tip; the wings are pointed, and the tail slightly
rounded. These birds are distinguished from the rest of their family by
many peculiarities; they live much upon the ground, and, though they do
not avoid dry parts of the country, prefer marshy districts near the
sea-coast. Upon the ground their movements are remarkably active, and
they exhibit considerable agility among the branches of trees, but their
powers of flight are very inferior to those possessed by their congeners,
and, unlike them, they never mount into the air or perform any remarkable
evolutions. They feed upon insects of all kinds, but more especially
upon locusts and grasshoppers, and sometimes rob nests of other birds to
devour the eggs and young; they will also eat seeds, fruit, or corn in
such quantities as to render them extremely troublesome to the settlers.
We learn from Gould that the Piping Crows lend a great charm to the
places they frequent, as they hop nimbly and gracefully about, uttering
their clear flute-like cry, which is constantly heard when they are
resting on the trees in small parties of from four to six birds. The
nests are formed of twigs, lined with grass or other suitable material,
and resemble those built by European Crows. The brood consists of from
three to four eggs; the young are fed by both parents, who display great
courage in defence of their little family; their growth is rapid, and,
after the first moulting, they acquire the same plumage as the adults. As
an example of this musical race we may select