Genus IV.--Nucifraga, Briss. Nutcracker

Birds of America

By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.

VOLUME IV.

GENUS IV.--NUCIFRAGA, Briss. NUTCRACKER.

Bill as long as the head, moderately stout, conical, compressed, at the tip rather depressed; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly arcuato-declinate, the ridge convex, the sides rounded, the edges sharp and overlapping, without notch, the tip flattened and obtuse; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges sharpened a little involute, the tip flattened and rather obtuse. Nostrils basal, lateral, roundish, covered by bristly feathers, which are directed forwards. Head large, broadly ovate, neck rather short; body moderately stout. Tarsus rather short, compressed, with eight scutella; toes stout, the first very large, the inner a little shorter than the outer, which is adherent at the base. Claws large, arched, much compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended; no distinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible, wings long, much rounded, the first quill very short, the fourth longest; tail of moderate length, rounded.