CLARKE'S NUTCRACKER. 



Nuclfraga columbiana Audubon. 



I^HE range of this species," says Dr. Elliott Coues, "is nearly coincident with the 

 zone of coniferous vegetation in the West. It rarely descends below an altitude 

 of 3,000 fe^t, and has been observed on peaks 10,000 feet high. A hardy bird, finding 

 its food at all seasons, Clarke's Nutcracker is not a true migrant; that is to say, it 

 does not move north and south at regular periods. But the individuals are never 

 thoroughly localized; they are restless birds, scurrying continually among the mount- 

 ains. The nearest approach to a regular movement appears to be their flying down 

 mountains in severe weather, and returning to the more elevated situations to breed. 

 This seems to be the case, at any rate, in latitudes from 45° southward, although they 

 nest quite low down in more northern situations; . . . 



"Like others of this omnivorous family, Clarke's Crow is an indiscriminate feeder 

 upon vegetable substances, giving preference, however, to the seeds of the pine, berries 

 of the cedar, and acorns. Prying into a pine-cone with its long and peculiarly shaped 

 beak, it gouges out the seeds, often hanging, while thus engaged, head downward, like 

 a Thistle-bird swing under the globular ament of a button-wood. It also eats insects 

 of various kinds, and has been observed pecking at dead bark to obtain them, and 

 making short sallies in the air for the same purpose, like a Woodpecker. It sometimes 

 descends to the ground in search of food, walking easily and firmly, like a true Crow ; 

 but we may infer, fi-om the length and sharpness of its claws, that it does not spend 

 much of its time on the ground. ..." 



My fidend, the late Capt. B. F. Goss, of Pewaukee, Wis., gives the following 

 account on the nesting habits of Clarke's Nutcracker: "Clark's Crow is a common 

 resident of the region described (Fort Garland, Colorado), but has a higher range than 

 Maximilian's Jay. I found it most abundant in the mountain valleys, above the foot 

 hills. In that dry climate the trees on the sunny exposure of the valleys are dwarfed, 

 scattering, and interspersed with thick bunches of bushes, while the opposite side, look- 

 ing northward, is covered with a heavy growth of timber. It was in and around such 

 timber that I found these birds, and there I looked diligently for their nests. Many 

 times they showed gi-eat concern and watched me closely, peering down and scolding 

 from the thick foliage overhead. I thought their nest must be near, and searched every- 

 where in the neighborhood, even climbing to the tops of high trees ; but I have no doubt 

 now that their nests were across the valley, half a mile away. I spent more than two 

 weeks in tjiis fi-uitless search, returning every night to camp, tired arid disappointed. 

 Any one who has tramped over mountains, in the light air of 9,000 feet elevation, will 

 understand, how exhausting such labor is ; but I particularly wished to get the eggs of 

 this bird, was sure they were nesting in the neighborhood, and did not like to give it 

 tJp. One evening, after a particularly hard day's work, as I sat by my camp-fire, looking 



