THE CLARK NUTCRACKER. 



19 



Clark's Nutcracker is tlie presiding genius of the East-side slopes and 

 light-forested foothills, as well as of the rugged fastnesses of the central 

 Cordilleras. His presence, during fall and winter, at the lower altitudes 

 tiepends in large measure upon the pine-cone crop, since pine seeds are his 

 staple, tho by no means his exclusive diet. This black and white and gray 



CI..\RK'S NUTCRACKER. 



"Crow" curiiiuslv CDUibines the characteristics of Woodpecker and Ja}" as 

 well. Like the Lewis Woodpecker, he sometimes hawks at passing insects, 

 eats berries from bushes, or alights on the ground to glean grubs, grass- 

 lioppers, and black crickets. In the mountains it shares with the Jays of the 

 Pcrisorcus group the names "meat-bird"' and "camp-robber," for nothing 

 that is edible comes amiss to this bird, and instances are on record of its 

 having invaded not only the open-air kitchen, but the tent, as well, in search 

 cf ''supplies." 



Of its favorite food, John Keast Lord says: "Clark's 'Crows' have, 

 like the Cross-bills, to get out the seeds from underneath the scaly coverings 

 constituting the O'Utward side of the fir-cone : nature has not given them 



