502 THE NUTHATCH. 



like the tit, nothing will make it leave its eggs. It defends 

 them to the last, strikes the invader with bill and wings, makes 

 a hissing noise, and will allow itself to be caught rather than quit. 

 In form of bill and habits it resembles the tit. Its tongue, 

 unlike the last, is short, not extensile. Although there is only 

 one species in Europe, there are several in America, all small, 

 from the size of the gold-crested wren ; none much larger 

 than our nuthatch. Like the tit all its actions are abrupt, 

 it climbs, perches, and flits with jerks, often hangs back down- 

 wards like them ; while, like creepers and woodpeckers, it 

 climbs trees in search of insects, but, without using its tail to 

 support it, descends the same way, head first ; is the only bird 

 we have which habitually does so, its very long, much-curved, 

 sharp claws enabling it to do so. It frequents the scattered trees 

 of parks and old enclosures rather than thick fir woods, and 

 seeks the lee-side, away from wind. It has no song, but in 

 spring emits a soft flute-like note. In captivity it is fed on 

 hempseed, grain, or nuts, which it cracks and splits, and is a 

 very amusing pet — only the cage must be wire, as it destroys 

 woodwork. Its general colour is bluish-grey ; throat and 

 cheeks, white ; a black band behind the eye ; lower parts, 

 reddish-yellow ; sides, dusky-red ; bill, greyish-blue ; feet, grey ; 

 iris, brown ; wings, long ; tail, short and broad — not stiff like 

 the woodpecker and creeper. It is 5| inches long by 10J ; 

 female similar. 



tfercws— CERTHIA, CREEPER. 

 The Common Tree Creeper. 



Certhia Familiaris. {Linn.) 



" She forward thrusts her threatening neck, 

 Its feathers ruffling in her wrath, 

 Bold with maternal fear." — Southey. 



Like the last there is only one European species. It is 

 common, but not familiar, like the robin or sparrow, for it is 

 shy and retiring. Except the gold-crested wren it is our 

 smallest British bird, weighing hardly two drachms. Its long 

 tail and wings make it seem larger. It is well-named the tree- 



