234 Benpire on the Nest and Eggs of Clarke's Nutcracker. {July 
much heavier spotted. There is no doubt that there will be considerable 
variation found when a number of sets of eggs of this bird are placed to- 
gether for examination. That this species should only lay but three eggs 
to the set seems also rather strange, but as far as my personal observa- 
tions go, such is the fact. 
“¢ The nests, although looking quite small when viewed from below, are 
rather bulky affairs after all when closely examined, their base consist- 
ing of a platform of small sticks and twigs, mostly of the white sage, 
which are laid on a sufficiently strong pine branch and generally as far 
out as possible. On this the nest proper is placed, which is composed of 
dry grasses, vegetable ibres, hypnum moss, and the fine inner bark of 
the western juniper (FYuniperus occidentalis.) These various materials 
are well incorporated together and fastened to the branch and pine needles 
on which it is placed, and makes a warm and comfortable structure. The 
outer diameter of the only nest measured by me (that is, the compact 
portion of it) was eightand one-half inches; inner diameter, four and one- | 
half inches; depth inside, three and one-half inches; outside, five inches. 
As arule, the nests were well concealed from view below, and almost in- 
variably placed on or near the extremity of a live limb at various heights 
from the ground. 
‘‘Tsolated clumps of pine trees growing near the edges of the forests or 
mountain valleys, as well as among juniper or mountain mahogany groves, 
seemed to be the favorite localities frequented by these birds during the 
breeding season; in fact, I have scarcely ever noticed them any distance 
in the forest unless there were frequent openings, small valleys, etc., in- 
terspersed with timber. These birds appear to raise but one brood during 
the season, . . . and inthe vicinity of Fort Harney they disappear about the 
end of May or early in June, gathering about that time in considerable 
flocks, and are not seen again till about October. They probably spend 
the summer months in the higher mountain regions in the vicinity. 
‘At all other times a social, inquisitive and exceedingly noisy bird, 
the Clarke’s Crow during the breeding season is exactly the reverse. 
In vain one may watch and listen to hear their usual and by no means 
musical call note, ‘‘ chaar, chaar,” which so easily betrays their presence 
at other times. . . . Their whole character seems to have undergone a 
sudden radical transformation. They remain perfectly silent, seem to 
hide and would scarcely be noticed, even where comparatively abundant, 
unless closely looked after.” 
To this account I have little to add of interest. In the matter 
of food, Clarke’s Crow, or Nutcracker, as now called, is omnivo- 
rous, certainly nothing at all eatable comes amiss. While during 
the winter months their food, perhaps from necessity, consists 
principally, if not altogether, of the seeds of various species of 
coniferous trees—the extracting of these entailing considerable 
strength and labor, but which is facilitated to a certain extent with 
