tak NUTHAYCH 
or eight eggs are deposited. ‘These are white, spotted with 
reddish brownand grey. ‘The Nuthatch often makes its 
nest in a frequented spot in an orchard, and will continue 
to use the place in spite of much disturbance. Like all 
hole-builders it is a close sitter. 
The adult Nuthatch is avery pretty bird, having the 
upper parts, including the two centre tail-feathers, the 
secondaries, and the margins of the primaries, clear blue- 
grey ; the white eye-stripe and black band on each side 
of the head through the eye are very conspicuous ; the 
wings are brown, the remaining tail-feathers black 
marked with white. ‘The cheeks, throat, and centres of 
the under tail-coverts are white, the remainder of the 
under parts buff, shading into chestnut on the flanks and 
the margins of the under tail-coverts. Bill lead-colour, 
paler below ; tarsi and toes pale brown ; irides brown. 
Length nearly 6 inches. ‘The nestling closely resembles 
the adult in general colour, but the under parts are not 
so rich a chestnut, none of the remaining tints are so 
brilliant, and the bill is much paler. 
103 
