128 
CLARKE’S NUTCRACKER. 
harsh and grating, and consists of one rather prolonged note. It breeds 
here in very high pine trees. The White Pelican also seen here in July, 
no doubt breeds ; also the Canvass-backed Duck, the Shoveller, and Dusky 
Duck ; found young of all of them. The Corvus columbianus is never seen 
within five hundred miles of the mouth of the Columbia. It appears gene- 
rally to prefer a mountainous country and pine trees ; and feeds chiefly 
on insects and their larvas.” J. K. T. 
Clarke’s Crow, Corvus columbianus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. iii. p. 29. 
Corvus columbianus, Bonap. Syn., p. 57. 
Columbian Crow, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 218. 
Clarke’s Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 459. 
Male, 12, wing 7H* 
Rocky Mountains. 
Adult Male. 
Bill as long as the head, stout, somewhat conical, compressed, at the tip 
rather depressed. Upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly arcuato-decli- 
nate, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges sharp and overlapping, 
without notm, the tip flattened and obtuse ; lower mandible with the angle 
short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges 
sharp and a little inflexed, the tip flattened, and rather obtuse. Nostrils basal, 
lateral, roundish, covered by bristly feathers, which are directed forwards. 
Head large, broadly ovate ; eyes of moderate size ; neck rather short ; 
body compact. Legs of moderate length, stout ; tarsus compressed, with 
seven large anterior scutella and two plates behind, meeting so as to form 
a sharp edge. Toes stout, with large scutella ; the first toe very large, the 
inner a little shorter than the outer, the hind much longer ; the third and 
fourth united as far as the second joint of the latter. Claws large, arched, 
much compressed, acute. 
Plumage full, very soft and blended ; the stiff bristly feathers over the 
nostrils extend about one-fifth of the length of the bill ; and there are no 
distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible ; the feathers on the head 
are very short. The wings are long, and much rounded ; the first quill two 
inches shorter than the second, which is ten-twelfths shorter than the third, 
the latter exceeded two-twelfths by the fourth, which is the longest ; the 
outer primaries being narrow, give the wing, when closed, the appearance 
of being pointed. Tail of moderate length, rounded, of twelve rather broad 
feathers, of which the lateral is half an inch shorter than the middle. 
Bill and feet brownish-black. Iris hazel. The general colour above and 
below is light brownish-grey, the forehead, throat, fore part of cheeks, and 
a space around the eye white, tinged with yellow. Wings black, glossed 
