BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Il^utcrachcr. 



The Nutcracker {JVnci/raga caryocafactes, Linnccus) is a 

 rare irregular autumn migrant to the British Islands, nesting 

 in the mountainous regions of Europe as far to the south 

 as the Pyrenees, and occurring as far eastward as Japan. 

 The adult male has the head dark brown ; back, brown, 

 each feather having a white triangular spot ; outer rectrices, 

 tipped with white ; basal half, black ; central quills with 

 a conspicuous patch of white near the base of inner web : 

 upper tail-coverts, brown ; under parts, dark brown, with 

 white spots on breast and belly ; iridcs, dark brown ; l)ill, 

 legs, and feet, blackish. Length, about twelve inches. 



