NUTHATCH. 1 25 



skill as the Creeper, though its methods differ ; it trusts to its 

 large and powerful feet and does not make use of its stumpy 

 tail, and it runs as quickly down as up the trunk. Its actions 

 are jerky, spasmodic, and its route erratic ; it darts from side to 

 side, now up, now down, and uses its strong beak more as a 

 hammer than a probe. Indeed it gives frequent woodpecker- 

 like raps on the bark, perhaps when smashing an insect. 

 Nevertheless it can perch, and on larches searches the young 

 shoots for insects and picks aphids from the opening buds of 

 other trees. Its food consists largely of insects, but, as its name 

 implies, it is fond of nuts and seeds ; these it fixes firmly in 

 cracks in the bark and hammers until it extracts the kernel. 

 Yew-berries are favoured, and in one park I have seen large 

 numbers of the empty seeds, with an occasional acorn, firmly 

 wedged in the bark of trees at some distance from a yew, for 

 the bird has its chosen anvils to which it carries its nuts. It 

 does not hack at them with its head and neck alone, but 

 literally puts its back into the work, striking with the whole 

 body hinged on the legs ; often its position is head downwards 

 during the process. It is stated that the bird roosts head 

 downwards. 



The Nuthatch is a noisy bird with a loud boy-like whistle ; 

 the usual note is a clear tui^ tut, tui^ but the winter call is more 

 subdued. In spite of its gay colours, slate and chestnut, it is 

 not very conspicuous on a grey or lichen-covered tree, but its 

 movements catch the eye and its notes the ear. The song is a 

 pleasant trill, not unlike a mild imitation of the Green Wood- 

 pecker's laughing call ; the pairing note Miss Turner likens to 

 the words "Be quick, be quick, be quick." In its pairing 

 display it ruffles its flanks and flutters its wings to exhibit the 

 rich chestnut, and spreads its tail to expose the white markings ; 

 at the same time it moves its raised head from side to side. 

 With open wings and expanded tail it will float down towards the 

 hen, and Miss Turner has witnessed a high aerial joint excursion. 



