NUTHATCH. 
Sirta Evropxa, Lin. 
The Nuthatch is not generally distributed in 
Britain, being of rare occurrence in the northern 
parts, and not hitherto observed in Scotland. Like 
the Creeper and Woodpecker, it ascends the trunks 
and branches of trees by means of its long curved 
claws, but without employing its tail as a support; 
and, unlike all our other birds, it descends in the 
same manner, head foremost. Besides insects, it 
feeds on the kernels of nuts, to obtain which it 
places the nut in a crevice found in the bark of 
some tree, and, with its head downwards, splits it 
by repeated strokes of its bill. It forms its nest, 
made of dead leaves, in the holes of trees, which, 
by means of plaster of clay, it contracts to a size 
barely admitting of its passage. Its eggs, of which 
there may be five or seven, are of a greyish white, 
spotted with reddish brown, and very similar to 
those of the Great Titmouse. 
