AVES-NUTHATCH. 559 



of her hoard, place it in a chink, and then, standing above it, striking it with 

 all its force till it breaks the shell and catches up the kernel. Doctor Plot 

 says, that this bird, by putting its bill into the crack of a tree, can produce 

 a violent sound, as if it was rending asunder, which may be heard, at least 

 one hundred and twenty yards. In some countries this bird, from the 

 noise which it produces in the manner above stated, is called the logger- 

 head. 



WHITE -BREASTED NUTHATCH. 1 



The white-breasted nuthatch is common almost everywhere in the woodb 

 of North America ; and may be known at a distance by the notes quank, quank, 

 frequently repeated, as he moves up and down in spiral circles around the 

 body and branches of the tree, shelling off pieces of bark in search of spi- 

 ders, ants, insects, and their larvae. He rests and roosts with his head 

 downwards, and ap'pears to possess a curiosity not common to birds ; fre- 

 quently descending very slily within a few feet of the root of a tree where 

 you happen to stand, stopping head downwards, stretching out his neck in a 

 horizontal position, as if to reconnoitre your appearance, and, after several 

 minutes of silent observation, wheeling round, he again mounts with fresh 

 activity, piping his orisons as before. Strongly attached to his native forests, 

 he seldom forsakes them, and in the rigor of the severest winter, his note is 

 still heard in the bleak and leafless woods. 



This bird builds its nest in the hole of a tree, in the hollow rail of a fence, 

 and sometimes in the wooden crevice under the eaves. The male is ex- 

 tremely attentive to the female while sitting, and supplies her regularly with 

 sustenance, calling her and offering her whatever he has brought, with the 

 most endearing tenderness. Sometimes he stops merely to inquire how she 

 is, and to lighten the tedious moments with his soothing chatter. When 

 both are feeding on the same tree, he is perpetually calling to her; and from 

 the momentary pause he makes, it is evident that he feels pleased to hear 

 her reply. 



There are two or three species of the nuthatch besides the above, found in 

 America. 



* Sitta Carolinensie, Wxtsos. 



