THE NUT-CRACKER CROW. 
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in large flocks, feeding npon the seeds of the pine-trees after the fashion that has gained for 
the bird its name of Nut-cracker. This species feeds mostly upon seeds, especially those of 
the pine, the beech, and various nuts, and it breaks the hard shells by fixing the nut or pine- 
cone in a convenient crevice, and hammering with its beak until it has exposed the kernel. 
Indeed, while engaged in this pursuit, its movements are almost precisely those of the com- 
mon nuthatch. It is a rather shy and suspicious bird, keeping closely to the tops of trees, and 
mostly being beyond the range of an ordinary shot-gun. 
It does not, however, feed wholly on seeds, but varies its diet with insect food, in pursuit 
of which it ranges for a considerable distance over the country seeking the insects either 
on the ground or on the trees— generally the latter. 
By means of the powerful bill and neck muscles, the Nut-cracker is able to dig out 
the large-bodied grubs which are found deeply buried in the wood of various trees, and which 
it discovers through its quick sense of sight and hearing. 
NUT-CRACKER and EUROPEAN JAY . — Nucyfraga caryocatactes and Perisoreusinfaustus. 
The Nut-cracker is common in Southern Europe, and is also a visitant of the more northern 
regions of that continent, being frequently seen in Norway, and even migrating so far north as 
the great pine-forests of Russia, Siberia, and Kamtschatka. Sometimes the Nut-cracker 
becomes carnivorous in its taste, after the manner of the corvidae in general, and robs sitting 
birds of their eggs, or even seizes and eats their callow young. It is a very active bird, 
traversing the branches with great rapidity, and being able to climb the perpendicular trunk 
of a tree almost as well as the creepers. That it frequently puts this accomplishment in 
practice is evident from the fact that the tips of the tail-feathers are often found to be 
worn away, evidently by the pressure which they have exerted against the rough bark of 
the trees. 
