28 J. E. LITTLEBOT — THE BIRDS OF OUE DISTRICT. 



sometimes called, and the tree creeper, are both common. A nest 

 of the former was found in a cherry tree near King's Langley 

 during the past summer, and the latter builds almost invariably in 

 our own alder trees. 



Very similar in form and general appearance to the kingfisher, 

 but inhnitely inferior in brilliancy of colour, is the nuthatch. The 

 name of this bird affords an appropriate indication of its peciiliar 

 tastes. It is a dreadful nuisance among the filbert stems, and if 

 left to itself will soon make havoc with the filberts. Unfortunately 

 it destroys an infinitely greater number than it can possibly 

 consume, and the ground under our stems is frequently almost 

 covered with the results of its depredations. Its method of nidifi- 

 cation is peculiar. Instead of selecting, like other birds, a ready- 

 made hole in which to build, it much prefers to become its own 

 engineer, and to hollow out a suitable domicile with its beak. 

 Having made the hole, it proceeds to barricade the entrance with 

 mud and gravel, and in this manner it builds up a complete barrier 

 against all intruders, leaving only a small front door through which 

 to enter. I have received an interesting anecdote respecting the 

 nuthatch from a gentleman at Hitchin, which I shall venture to 

 repeat. "An old apple tree in our garden," says my friend, 

 "having begun to decay, a hole was made in it by a nuthatch and 

 a little chamber hollowed out at the bottom, sufficiently large to 

 admit of the rearing of a family. Through continuous decay, the 

 aperture became too extended ; so that it was necessary to reduce 

 it, and this was done by plastering it up with mud. The nuthatch 

 was allowed peaceable possession of its home for some years; it 

 was then vigoroixsly attacked by a house-sparrow, but the assailant 

 was compelled to beat an ignominious retreat. A wryneck next 

 determined to assault the citadel, and he commenced operations by 

 battering down the parapet. JSo sooner was this effected than the 

 nuthatch courageously attempted the work of restoration ; he 

 persevered for some time, but was at last overcome by superior 

 force and compelled to evacuate his fortress. The wryneck, in 

 his turn, was dispossessed by some starlings, and these birds re- 

 tained possession until the decay of the tree rendered it untenant- 

 able. It has recently been occupied by some bats." 



Respecting the little wren, I will venture to relate a rather 

 curious incident which happens to have come under our personal 

 observation. Whilst its mate is engaged in sitting, the male bird 

 appears to occupy his time in building additional nests, but never 

 attempts to line them, an accomplishment that may probably ap- 

 pertain to the female. We had often noticed these extra nests, 

 and wondered what could be the meaning of them ; their utility 

 was exemplified in a somewhat singular manner. Some boys 

 intruded into our garden, one Sunday morning, and robbed it of 

 a wren's nest which we had carefully watched ; no sooner was the 

 nest taken away, than a spare nest close by, which had previously 

 remained unlined, was neatly finished and a new edition of eggs 

 quickly deposited. 



