

THE JSUTHATfll. 



The weight of this bird is nearly an ounce ; the length, fl\e inches and three-quarters, 

 and the expanse of the wings nine inches. The tints of the female are weaker tliau 

 those of the male, especially about the sides and thighs. 



This species inhabits Europe and Asia, and seems to be little affected by the influence 

 of climate. In Britain, as in most other countries, it is stationary, but local, and chiefly 

 prefers wooded and enclosed situations, frequently selecting the deserted habitation of a 

 woodpecker for its nest. In this case, the entrance to the hole is first contracted h\ a 

 plaster of elaj^ or mud, to exclude larger birds, and leaving only sufficient room for itself 

 to pass in and out. The male and female jointly labour at the construction of the nest, 

 which usuall}' consists of dead leaves and moss heaped together without mucli order, and 

 sometimes lined ^^'ith the dust of the decaj'cd tree in which the nest is placed. The 

 niimber of the eggs is generally six or seven, and they are of a dirty white with duslcy 

 spots, being scarcely distinguishable from those of the greater titmouse. If the plaster 

 at the entrance be destroyed when there are eggs in the nest, it is speedily replaced. 



Puring incubation, the female is assiduously attended by the male, who regulai'ly 

 supplies lier with food. Though easily dri\-en from lier nest at otlier times, she sits on 

 her eggs with great pertinacity, striking the invader with her bill and A\ings, and hissing 

 like a snake ; and after everj^ effort has been practised in vain, she will rather suffer 

 herself to be taken than desert her charge. The eggs are hatehed in Jlay ; and there is 

 rarelj' more than one brood in the season. After the young can provide for theinselves, 

 the family separates, and all seek retirement, though they are occasionally obser\ed to 

 mingle with titmice and woodpeckers. 



Although the nutliatch spends much of its time in climbing or creeping on. trees, its 

 motions are nimbler than those of the sparrow, as well as smoother and more connected, 

 for it makes less noise in flying. In climbing it is more expert than the woodjjccker, 

 for it runs up and down the tree in all directions. When eraploj^cd in breaking a nut, 

 its favourite position is with the head do-wn. In the autumn, it is no uncommon thing 

 to find in the crevices of the bark of an old tree a great many broken nutshells, the work 

 of this bird, which repeatedly returns to the sainc .spot for tliis purpose. AVlien it lias 

 fixed the nut firm in a chink, it turns on all sides to strike it with the most advantage. 

 This with the commoTi ha/el-nut is a work of some labour, but it strikes a filbert with 

 ease. AVhilst at work, it makes a rapping noise, which may be heard at some distance. 

 In default of nuts or seeds, tliis bird searches for insects and their larvir among mo.ss or 

 old trees, or walls, thatch, Sec. In winter it. picks the liirvie of beetlis froin under th^ 

 b;irk of trees, and has recourse to the magazine of nuts, and llie seeds of suu-flower. 



* Siltn Fiirojifra. 



