The Nuthatch. 41 
It seems strange that the Mud-dabber should 
narrow the entrance to its home, but a possible 
reason for this habit may be given. It is a very 
pugnacious bird, and during its encounters with tits 
and other birds its home is sometimes besieged and 
even captured. “A small breach is more easily 
defended than a large one,” and may be the Mud- 
dabber knows this, when it makes the entrance to 
its nest as small as possible. 

SCENE IN THE NEW FOREST. 
