THE NUTHATCH 67 



The young are fed assiduously by both parents on an 

 insect diet, much the same as Titmice. Very often the 

 broods disband long before the advent of winter, although 

 the old birds may be seen in company throughout the year. 

 The Nuthatch does not possess any song, but in the vernal 

 year, when under sexual excitement, its usual call -note is 

 somewhat modulated into a kind of twitter. In its flight it 

 very closely resembles the Great Tit, and on the ground it is 

 capable of hopping with ease. 



