Genus NUCIFRAGA.
Gen. C h a r. B i l l conical, longer than the head, straight; th e upper mandible having the
oilm en rounded, overhanging th e lower, both terminating in an obtuse and depressed
point. N o s tr ils basal, round, open, concealed b y hairs directed forwards. Toes three
before and one behind, th e two ou te r being united a t th e ir base. Tarsus longer than
the middle toe. Wings long and pointed, th e first quill-feather being th e shortest, and
the fourth and fifth th e longest.
N U T C R A C K E R .
Nucifraga caryocatactes, B riss.
L e Casse noix.
We are sorry that it is not in our power to give a detailed account from personal observation o f the manners
o f this singular and interesting bird, which with one other from the Himalaya mountains form the only
known species of the present genus, which seems to connect the order with several other groups, of which we
may enumerate that of Picus among the Zygodactyloiis birds ; and Mr. Vigors considers it to assimilate in
some degree to that extensive family the Sturnidae, especially to the genera Cassicus and Barita: it must be
acknowledged, however, that some other interesting form seems to be required in order to make the link of
approximation complete.
The native habitat of the Nutcracker is the mountain woods of Switzerland and Germany, and indeed the
greater portion of Europe, in the northern parts of which it is strictly migratory.
Its claim to a place among the birds of the British Islands rests on a few rare instances o f its having been
captured in this country. Its habits and manners accord with what we might expect from its peculiar form,
bearing a marked resemblance to those o f the Woodpeckers: like them, it ascends the trunks o f trees, strikes
the bark with its bill in order to dislodge the larvae of insects which lurk beneath, and upon which it feeds,
together with worms, fruits, nuts, the seeds of pine, &c.
It incubates in the holes of decayed trees, frequently enlarging the cavity to the necessary size, and lays
five or six eggs, of a yellowish white.
The sexes, as in the Corvidae in general, offer no external difference o f plumage ; the female is, however,
somewhat smaller than the male, and perhaps a little more obscure in her markings.
The whole of the plumage is o f a deep reddish brown, inclining to umber; the body varied, except on the
head and rump, with large spots o f white, occupying the centre of every feather; wings and tail brownish
black, with green reflections, the latter being tipped with white, the two middle feathers excepted ; bills and
legs brownish black.
We have figured the. bird of the natural size.