88 BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE NUTCRACKER. 



(Nucifraga Caryocatactes^ Brisson. Casse-Noix^ 

 Temm.i 



LENGTH thirteen inches. Bill two inches long,, 

 and black ; eyes hazel ; the crown of the head,, 

 hinder and fore part of the neck black ; the general 

 colour is dusky brown, covered with triangular 

 spots of white; w r ings black; greater coverts tipped 

 with white ; the tail is black, deeply tipped with 

 white ; the rump and vent are also white ; legs 

 and claws black. 



This bird has seldom been seen in England ; it 

 is common in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, 

 and frequents the most mountainous parts of those 

 countries. It builds in holes of trees, and feeds on 

 nuts, acorns, and the kernels of the pine, also on 

 larvae, and on young birds and eggs. It is said 

 to pierce the bark of trees with its bill, like the 

 Woodpecker. The drawing was from a stuffed 

 specimen in the Wycliffe Museum. 



