The Nuthatch. 33 
CHAPTER ‘lf. 
ears ee TT ATC: 
(S7tta europea.) 
Y far the best way of observing the life and 
habits of forest birds is to sit perfectly still 
under a spreading tree, with one’s eyes and ears wide 
open, ready to catch the slightest movement or sound. 
Many hours have we from time to time thus spent, 
but a certain sunny afternoon we especially remember. 
We had not been seated long at the base of a grand 
old oak, when a little wood-mouse peeped out of a hole 
at our side, and, seeing we did not move, the little 
creature soon gained courage enough to come out of 
its hiding place. Presently it sat upou its haunches, 
and began washing its face with its paws; then, taking 
a leaf in its mouth, dragged it into the hole. As the 
mouse disappeared, a creak in the tree above made 
