2/0 cassell's book of birds. 



This species frequents thickly-wooded mountains, and the wide-spread forests of Northern 

 Europe and Asia, showing a decided preference for districts covered with Siberian pines, and may 

 be met with in considerable numbers in certain localities, while in others, in the immediate vicinity, 

 it will be entirely wanting : in Sweden it is exceedingly common, but is seldom seen in Norway. In 

 appearance the Nutcracker is awkward and clumsy, but in reality it is extremely active and adroit, 

 walking upon the ground with ease, and climbing, or suspending itself from the branches with the 

 dexterity of a Titmouse ; its flight is light but slow, and is produced by powerful strokes and broad 

 extensions of the wings. The voice is a loud, screeching, resounding cry, and though most of its 

 senses appear to be very equally developed, its intelligence will not bear comparison with that of most 

 other members of the family. 



But little is known about the habits of these birds during the breeding season, for their nests are 

 usually built in the inmost recesses of some thicket almost inaccessible to man. March, we are told, 

 is the month in which they lay their eggs, and, if this be the case, they must in many places undertake 

 the cares of a family whilst snow still lies deep upon the ground. The nest, as we learn from Schutt, 

 is neatly formed of dried fir twigs, woven together with the green leaves of the same tree, probably for 

 the purpose of decorating the exterior ; it is lined with a layer of moss or young bark, beautifully 

 worked in, which gives a round and finished appearance to the interior. The eggs are pale blueish 

 green, marked here and there with light brown spots. Like other Ravens, the Nutcracker subsists 

 principally upon insects, seeds, and fruit, but displays many of the propensities of birds of prey; it 

 attacks a great variety of animals weaker than itself, and after biting them in the neck, breaks open 

 their head and devours the brains. We have heard of an instance in which one of these birds ate a 

 squirrel that was laid before it. Hard nuts are among the favourite articles of their food, and it is 

 most curious to see them seize one in their claws and dexterously crack it, always keeping the broad 

 end carefully uppermost during the process : in this manner they will rapidly dispose of a large supply. 



The PIPING CROWS (Phonygama) are short-tailed Ravens, with very long conical beaks; the 

 upper mandible is hooked, and armed with teeth-like appendages near the tip ; the wings are pointed, 

 and the tail slightly rounded. These birds are distinguished from the rest of their family by many 

 peculiarities ; they live much upon the ground, and, though they do not avoid dry parts of the 

 country, prefer marshy districts near the sea-coast. Upon the ground their movements are remark- 

 ably active, and they exhibit considerable agility among the branches of trees, but their powers of 

 flight are very inferior to those possessed by their congeners, and, unlike them, they never mount 

 into the air or perform any remarkable evolutions. They feed upon insects of all kinds, but more 

 especially upon locusts and grasshoppers, and sometimes rob nests of other birds to devour the eggs 

 and young ; they will also eat seeds, fruit, or corn in such quantities as to render them extremely 

 troublesome to the settlers. We learn from Gould that the Piping Crows lend a great charm to the 

 places they frequent, as they hop nimbly and gracefully about, uttering their clear flute-like cry, which 

 is constantly heard when they are resting on the trees in small parties of from four to six birds. The 

 nests are formed of twigs, lined with grass or other suitable material, and resemble those built by 

 European Crows. The brood consists of from three to four eggs ; the young are fed by both parents, 

 who display great courage in defence of their little family ; their growth is rapid, and, after the first 

 moulting, they acquire the same plumage as the adults. As an example of this musical race we may 

 select 



THE FLUTE BIRD. 



The Flute Bird (Gymiwrkina tibicen) is a species of Crow, about sixteen and a half inches in 

 length. Its plumage is principally black, but the nape, lower part of the back, lower tail-covers, and 



