1 54 TlIR NfTCRACKKR 



about the possession of a nut, for tlie cock often tried to rob his mate, and she 

 made ever}' endeavour to retain her tit-bit, squeaking in a low key. It was on 

 the 19th of February that I first saw the male Nutcracker feeding his mate: she 

 fluttered her wings all the time, and cried as a young bird might have done. 

 Thereafter the relations of these birds became most intimate. I tried mv best io 

 induce them to nest in the aviar^', but they could not make up their minds to 

 breed in confinement. 



Unfortunately, my health broke down completely in the spring of 1893; I 

 was obliged to leave my birds to the care of a friend. When I returned to duty 

 in the following September I found my birds newly dead, to ni}' great regret. 

 The female had died from moulting troubles. It was thought that her faithful 

 mate had died of grief, as he pined awaj^ from the day of her decease. 



The late Lord Lilford informed me in 1893, that he had kept a number of 

 Nutcrackers in confinement. He said that his birds were specially fond of hazel- 

 nuts and walnuts. They were supplied also with 'ever}' other variety of nut and 

 berries that could be procured— hips, haws, peas, beans, acorns, blackberries, 

 beech-mast, cones of spruce, boiled rice, stale bread-crumbs, hard-boiled egg, now 

 and then a little boiled liver, beetles, earthworms and crushed hemp-seed. The 

 latter was mixed with dried ants' eggs.' I must say that ni}- birds declined to 

 eat anything except nuts ; but I was away on sick-leave during the months in 

 which their diet would naturally have varied most. 



The late Mr. John Hancock kept a specimen of the Nutcracker in confinement 

 for six years. ' Its voice was very peculiar. It had an extremel}' harsh, loud 

 cry, resembling the noise produced by a ripping saw while in full action. This 

 cry was so loud that it could be heard all over the house. It had also a sweet, 

 low, delicate, warbling song. This was only uttered when everything was quiet.' 



I never heard my male sing. He crozved, with a loud guttural caw, which 

 was uttered while the bird perched in a drawn, upright position, the mandibles 

 being visibly extended. He had a low squeaking note of pleasure, and could 

 address his mate in curious terms of endearment." 



