128 BLUE-BACKED BIRDS. 



of clarabeinng about the branches of a tree with the 

 agility and topsy-turvy tricks of the Tit tribe, of 

 running with mouse-like motion on the trunk like a 

 Tree-Creeper, or of hammering oft" the dead bark with 

 its strong bill like a Woodpecker. It is just as capable 

 of making sallies for insects from a set perch like 

 a Flycatcher ; and when later in the year it turns 

 its attention to nuts, acorns, and fruit-stones, it has 

 the habit of wedging them in some crack in the bark 

 whilst it breaks the hard shells with its bill. A 

 bird of such unusual and broadly distributed colours, 

 and of such habits, needs but to be seen to be recog- 

 nised. If not seen, it generally manages to make 

 itself heard during the nesting season, from March 

 onwards, by repeating a loud, far-carrying note, ' Tui- 

 tui-tui ! ' For nesting purposes this bird uses a 

 hole in a tree or in a wall, partially plastering up the 

 aperture if it be too large. In winter the Nuthatch 

 frequents orchards and gardens. The three Wood- 

 peckers, the Wryneck, and the little Tree-Creeper 

 differ in their coloration so entirely from the Nut- 

 hatch that it suffices merely to mention that they, 

 like the Nuthatch, are trunk-climbers. 



NOTES TO 'BLUE-BACKED BIRDS.' 



GRAY WAGTAIL.— Blue-gray on upper parts, but because 

 even more brilliantly yellow below, described under 'Yellow- 

 Breasted Birds.' A tail-wagging bird of the water-side, the tail 

 as long as the body. 



REDSTART AND WHEATEAR.— The males blue-gray on 

 the upper parts in summer only ; vide ' Ruddy-Breasted Birds.* 

 Both are 5^-6 inch birds, the former showing brilliant chestnut 

 rump and tail as it flies, aJid the latter conspicuously white rump 

 and tail feathers when on the wing. 



