]912] Taylor: Birds and Reptiles of Northern Nevada. 379 



locality, our attention often being attracted to them through 

 their persecution by red-winged blackbirds. No specimens taken. 



Nucifraga columbiana (Wilson) 

 Clarke Nutcracker 



Distribution. — Observed commonly above 7000 feet in the 

 mountains. They were closely confined to the pine-covered area, 

 and were consequently more numerous on the western than on 

 the eastern slopes. The nutcracker was a characteristic inhabi- 

 tant of that part of the Transition which is designated (see pi. 7) 

 as possessing a Boreal infusion. 



Hahits. — The birds were first noted at the head of Big Creek. 

 Small companies of three or four individuals appeared, and 

 perching on boulders and dead pines on the mountain sides, they 

 proceeded to call back and forth to one another. As regards 

 degree of shyness there was much individual variation. 



Several birds were dissected and their stomachs found to 

 contain insect remains, principally a large species of ant common 

 in logs at high altitudes. Sometimes a mixture of insect remains 

 and pine-nuts was discovered. Individuals were frequently 

 observed pounding pine-cones to extract the seeds. Others were 

 noted prying and tearing strips of bark from dead pines, 

 evidently searching for insects. 



By making a "squeaking" sound with the lips I attracted 

 one individual to within ten feet of me. As long as I remained 

 quiet he remained near at hand. For several minutes he watched 

 me intently, making little nervous movements from time to time. 

 Presently he uttered several loud jay-like notes, and went to 

 work at stripping off bark. 



These birds were the noisiest of all the species in the higher 

 parts of the mountains. They could be heard calling at almost 

 any time of day. Toward the last of July the young were out 

 of the nest and seemed to be accompanying their elders. 



A parent was twice observed feeding a juvenal by the process 

 of regurgitation. The juvenal begged by flapping its wings in 

 a linnet-lik(> manner, and uttering a loud squawking. When the 

 parent inserted its bill into that of the young bird the cries of 

 the latter became increasingly violent. At intervals the adult 



