564 Home Nature-Study Course. 



LESSON XXVII. 

 the habits of the nuthatch. 

 Purpose. — To make the pupils more observant of the habits of this 

 bird. 

 Observations. — 



1. Is the nuthatch seen most commonly on tree trunks or up in the 

 smaller branches ? 



2. Does it alight on a tree trunk with head up or down ? 



3. When climbing a tree does it ascend in a spiral ? 



4. When descending a tree does it go head down? How does it 

 compare in this respect with the downy woodpecker? 



5. Does it use its tail as a brace when climbing a tree, as does the 

 downy ? 



6. How are the nuthatch's toes arranged to enable it to cling to the 

 trunk ? 



7. What is the note of the nuthatch, and has it more than one note? 



8. What is its food and where is it found? 



9. How does it open an acorn ? 



10. Of what use is it to the farmer and fruit-grower? 



Facts for teacher. — The nuthatches and chickadees usuallj' hunt together, the 

 chickadees usually taking the smaller branches and the nuthatches the larger 

 branches and tree trunks. The nuthatch is quite likely to alight head down on a 

 tree trunk, and it also often climbs the tree in a spiral ; it runs about over the 

 tree so rapidly that it has been called the " tree mouse." Three characteristics dis- 

 tinguish this bird from the woodpeckers: It ascends a tree trunk head first; its 

 tail is short and square across the end and is never used as a brace ; it has three 

 toes directed forward and one very long and strong one directed backward. 



The common note of the nuthatch may be spelled " ank, ank " or " yak, yak," 

 but these birds have for each other some quite different and very sweet, little 

 confidential notes. While the nuthatch is fond of acorns and nuts and also tlic 

 larv?e which are the " worms " in nuts ; it is also fond of all kinds of insects, and 

 spends much time hunting for those that are hidden in the bark of the trees. It 

 is, therefore, a help to the farmer and fruit-grower by destroying so many in- 

 jurious insects. The nuthatch gets its name from its habit of wedging an acorn 

 into a crevice of bark and then hammering or hatching it open with its strong 

 bill. It is comical to see a nutliatch take off a bit of suet, wedge it into a crevice 

 in tlie bark, and then strike it with great force with its beak, apparently forget- 

 ting that it is not encased in a shell. 



LESSON XXVIII. 

 the nesting tiaiuts of the chick.vdee and nuthatch. 

 Purpose. — To make the pupils familiar with the way these birds build 

 their nests. 



If the pupils have not already observed the nests of either of these 

 birds, let them read any of the following references, and then either tell 

 the story or write it as an English exercise. Get them to comparing the 

 likenesses and differences in the nesting habits of the two species. 



