THE LIVING WORLD. 
333 
The Nut-cracker (. Nucifraga caryoca fades) is peculiar to Europe, and 
though classed by Brockhaus among the singing birds, it rather belongs to 
the crow genera. The nest of this species is made at the extremity of a 
long tunnel cut in the wood of a decaying tree, either originally dug by the 
bird, or altered and adapted to its purpose. The eggs usually number five 
and are of a grayish color. The body is of 
a warm brown color flecked with white spots. 
America also possesses a species of nut¬ 
cracker scientifically known as nucifraga 
Columbiana. It has a rather attractive plu¬ 
mage and formidable claws, though not strictly 
a carnivorous bird. It is most commonly 
met with near the sea shore, where it is 
sometimes seen in large and very noisy flocks. 
The Blue Jay ( Cyanurus cristatus) is 
a noisy inhabitant of the United States and 
has his congeners in nearly all countries 
of the globe. It is a beautiful bird but is 
in great disfavor on account of its preda¬ 
ceous habits. On account of the great num¬ 
ber of acorns it consumes, this being a favorite 
food in Germany, it is called the Acorn Bird 
(Garrulus glandarius) . He is a regular visi¬ 
tor to gardens and orchards, where he 
regales his appetite on cherries, berries, peas, and in fact nearly everything 
that grows. He also takes the part of a sentry and gives noisy notice of 
the proximity of an owl, hawk, weasel, marten or rat, and is hated by sportsmen 
because of his raising a hue-and-cry in the woods at the sight of a hunter, 
giving alarm to all game that may be within the sound of his voice. The jay 
is as predaceous as the magpie, robbing other birds’ nests, not only of their eggs 
but also devouring their young. The nest of 
the jay is a rude affair constructed of coarse 
sticks lined with grasses. The eggs are gen¬ 
erally five in number, of an olive-brown, marked, 
with dark spots. 
Finches. There are no less than forty-four 
species of the finch in North America, and almost, 
as great a variety in Europe, and a dozen or- 
more in Asia. There is great similarity in size, 
but no little diversity in color and habits. The 
Siberian Finch, for example, is a most stupid 
bird, thrusting its head into the grass at the 
sight of an enemy and leaving the body exposed, 
like the ostrich; the plumage, too, is dull and un¬ 
inviting. The Bearded Finch ( Amadina fascinata ), on the other hand, is a 
bird of extraordinary activity and cunning, of exquisite plumage, and a charm¬ 
ing singer. The Snow Finch (. Plectrophanes nivalis) is nearly white, an 
inhabitant of northern regions, and has a very feeble voice. The Golden 
Finch ( Emberiza citrinella) is a most charming little bird, with rich mellow- 
saffron finch ( Reg ulus cristatus). 
NUT-CRACKER AND ACORN BIRD. 
