WESTERN BIRDS Nuthatches 



On the other hand, the Nuthatches have feet like other 

 perching birds, with strong curved claws. It is their 

 manner of handling their feet which enables them to so 

 adroitly go head-up or head-down as they please. The 

 bird has a way of throwing one foot far out to one side 

 and backward, with the toes turned sideways and the 

 claws gripping the rough bark. The other foot is turned 

 forward, but well out, with the sharp hind claw clasped 

 firmly in the bark. It gives him a wide base and enables 

 him to maintain his equilibrium in any position. He 

 seems to prefer going down the tree trunk head first as 

 he "noses" in every nook and cranny for food. The short 

 tail is never used as a support. 



Not only does the bird come jauntily headfirst down 

 the tree, but he walks with equal ability on the under- 

 side of the limbs, quite unconscious that he is doing 

 anything unusual. 



These Nuthatches are friendly little fellows and when 

 they have finished their nesting duties, and the cold and 

 snow have cut down their food supply, especially in the 

 eastern States, they come about the homes and help 

 themselves to cracked nuts and suet from bird table, or 

 tree-trunk, where it has been placed for them. More 

 than that, they sometimes go in at a window for food, 

 even perching on a person's hand, so unsuspicious and 

 trusting are they. 



Of the eight species and subspecies found within the 

 United States three are eastern, four western, and one 

 found both east and west. 



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