NUTCRACKER. 221 



the pine and fir trees, and after traversing them, they reach 

 .their summer retreat about April, where they make arrange- 

 ments for the reproduction of their species. 



The Nutcracker is remarkably devoid of fear; it is re- 

 ported that it is very easy to knock the old birds down with 

 a stick, where their nest is near, and that the young birds 

 allow themselves to be taken from off the branches by the 

 hand. The shepherds in the Thuringerwald believe (forest 

 of Thuringia) that these birds came from Paradise, and call 

 them the birds of innocence. 



The flight of the Nutcracker resembles that of the Jack- 

 daw, but being wavering and unsteady, he avoids crossing 

 any extended space. In the course of its migration, should 

 any open country intervene, this bird avails itself of every 

 bush in its way, for the purpose of resting. 



The voice of the Nutcracker is not harmonious, being a 

 repeated harsh sound like crack, crack ! and curr ! the latter 

 of which he calls very loud in the spring of the year, when 

 perched on the top of a tree. 



As may be supposed, this species is easily tamed, and eats 

 anything that is offered it ; but care must be taken that it is 

 not left alone with other birds, as it devours them imme- 

 diately, even the jay becomes its prey if they are left together. 

 Its beak is so strong, and its habits so destructive, that a 

 wooden cage will not hold it, and it requires nuts to amuse it 

 when caged. 



The food of the Nutcracker consists in summer, in insects 

 of the larger kinds, even bees and wasps ; in autumn, berries, 

 nuts, acorns, and beech-nuts ; in winter it searches for berries 

 beneath snow ; and in the spring feeds principally on the 

 cones of the fir and pine, which he either entirely con- 

 sumes, or strips while on the ground in a peculiar man- 

 ner. 



This bird is said to be very partial to flesh, and to take 



