142 HABITS OF THE PYGMY NUTHATCH 



at sncli times — uot clamorous in fretfiiluess or irritation, 

 l^ut with the jovial abandon of good fellowship. The notes are 

 not susceptible of description, such is the endless variety of 

 the queer chattering and whistling cries emitted, amidst which 

 the peculiar quanic of the larger Nuthatches finds no counter- 

 part. Nor are they in themselves harmonious ; yet the effect 

 of the medley is pleasing. 



The nest of the Pygmy Nuthatch 1 have never found ; but 

 the nidification is now well known to agree with that of its 

 congeners, as far as the excavation of a hole is concerned. 

 Accounts differ respecting the lining of the cavity ; according 

 to some the eggs are simply deposited upon the chips and dust 

 at the bottom of the hole, while in other cases a tolerably well 

 made and consistent nest of various soft vegetable and animal 

 substances is constructed. Doubtless both these accounts are 

 correct, their variance being chargeable to the birds them- 

 selves. It is probable that, in some localities at least, two 

 broods are reared each season ; in Arizona, 1 observed the 

 earliest young on wing in June, which would leave ample time 

 for a second familj-. The eggs are not distinguishable with 

 certainty from those of the Canada Nuthatch, though said to 

 be somewhat smaller and more pointed. They appear to have 

 been first discovered at Fort Crook, California, by Captain 

 (then Sergeant) John Feiluer, U. S. A., who was not long after- 

 ward killed by Sioux in Dakota. In his notice of the species 

 above quoted, he concludes with a graphic portrayal of a little 

 scene which those who have watched the birds will recognize 

 as true to nature. . . . "The pine nuts are very closely 

 searched for their seeds; when found, it alights on a limb, 

 where, holding it with one foot, it hammers with the bill 

 until it has broken it in such parts as will enable it to eat the 

 seed. If it should happen to one to drop such a seed, two or 

 three will be seen diving after and catching it before it can 

 reach the ground; another i^lace will be found, and the'ham- 

 mering commences afresh. The scene presented by observing 

 a party of these little'^ birds all in a bustle and activity, engaged 

 in breaking pine nuts, and to hear their chattering and ham- 

 mering, reminds one of an immense machine shop, where all 

 the mechanics are busily engaged in the various divisions of 

 their craft." 



