312 



CERTHID^. 



a bubbling sound, such as it might be supposed to 

 make if it were rattling a pea in its throat. On these 

 occasions it is usually perched in the branches of a tree, 

 and. may be distinguished by its bluish grey back, dull red 

 breast, and short tail. The ]S"uthatch is not an accom- 

 plished musician, and claims, therefore, to be pointed out 

 by other characteristics. This is no difficult task to under- 

 take ; for no British bird is more decidedly marked in its 





THE NUTHATCH. 



habits. In the first place, it has strong clasping claws, 

 which admirably adapt it for climbing; and though it 

 does not possess the rigid tail of the Woodpeckers to aid 

 it in this operation, it has a short tail which never comes 

 in the way. In most counties of England (except the 

 extreme western and northern, where it is rare) any one 

 walking through a woodland district and keeping a sharp 

 look-out may observe a bluish bird, somewhat larger than 



