54 SITTA EUROPvEA. 



number, white, spotted with rust colour, so exactly like those 

 of the Great Titmouse in size and markinfi^s, that it is impossi- 

 ble to distinguish a difference. If the barrier of plaster at the 

 entrance is destroyed when they have eggs, it is speedily re- 

 placed ; a peculiar instinct to prevent their nest being destroyed 

 by the Woodpecker and other birds of superior size who build 

 in the same situation. No persecution will force this little 

 bird from its habitation when sitting ; it defends its nest to 

 the last extremity, strikes the invader with its bill and wings, 

 and makes a hissing noise ; and, after every eifort of defence, 

 will sufi'er itself to be taken in the hand rather than quit."" 



Like the American species, it aj^pears from the testimony 

 of several writers, that the European Nuthatch sometimes 

 makes a hole for itself; and it would seem that the plaster is 

 only used when the entrance is unnecessarily large. INIr Harley 

 informs me that he has known it to nestle in a gate-post, and 

 keep its station although the gateway was often used. In 

 Ganendon Park, where it is pretty common, it nestles in elm, 

 thorn, and maple trees. 



In a state of captivity the Nuthatch is fed on hemp-seed, 

 oats, barley, and nuts, all of which it cracks or splits w^ith its 

 bill. Its activity, cunning, and di-ollery, render it an agreeable 

 pet, but it must be kept in a cage entirely of wire, as it de- 

 stroys wood with its bill. Bechstein, in his Cage Birds, relates 

 an instance of its familiarity. " A lady amused herself in 

 winter with throwing seeds on the terrace below the window, 

 to feed the birds in the neighbourhood. She put some hemp- 

 seed and cracked nuts even on the window-sill, and on a board, 

 particularly for her favourites, the Blue Tits. Two Nuthatches 

 came one day to have their share in this repast, and were so 

 well pleased that they became quite familiar, and did not even 

 go away in the following spring, to get their natural food and 

 to build their nest in the wood. They settled themselves in 

 the hollow of an old tree near the house. As soon as the two 

 young ones, which they reared here, were able to fly, they 

 brought them to the hospitable window where they were to be 

 nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It was amus- 

 ing to see these two new visitors hang or climb on the walls 



