NUTHATCHES 599 



from the ground, the nest being heavily lined with feathers. 

 These eggs measure 0.78x0.56, 0.77x0.55, 0.79x0.56, 

 0.79 x 0.55, 0.78 x 0.57, 0.80 x 0.54, 0,79 x 0.54. In general 

 full sets of eggs may be expected in Maine from May first to 

 May fifteenth. Both birds do more or less work on the exca- 

 vating of the nesting cavity, and it takes from ten days to a 

 month after nest construction is begun, depending on the 

 amount of work necessary, before the eggs are laid, so that 

 nest construction often begins in late March or early April. 

 An egg is laid daily. I feel sure that only one brood is reared 

 in Maine, though in other states two broods are said to be 

 reared. 



The food consists of the various insects picked up as the 

 birds perform their acrobatic feats around and under the limbs 

 and trunks of trees. They also often dig into or pry off bits 

 of bark in their search for insects. Wire worms, grubs, spiders, 

 ants, beetles, and in general the eggs and larvae as well as the 

 insects inhabiting the limbs and trunks of trees are eaten. 



The observations of others regarding the habit this species 

 is said to have of wedging a nut such as a beechnut or acorn 

 into a crevice of the bark, and then by blows of the beak 

 breaking it open, I have never been able to see for myself, 

 nor have I ever found anybody who would personally state 

 that they had seen this habit. If the birds ever do this in 

 Maine, it is rarely, for I have found them where acorns and 

 beechnuts were plentiful, utterly disregarding these sources of 

 food and engaged in their usual tactics of searching the bark 

 and limbs. In late fall and winter they will, however, eat freely 

 of the rotten apples left hanging on trees and will also eat 

 the pulpy part of mountain ash berries. They will also 

 partake of bits of meat and suet put out for the benefit of 

 Chickadees and other small winter birds. More seldom I have 

 known them to eat seed of pine, fir and maple. In spring I 

 have seen them visit the holes excavated by the Yellow-bellied 

 Woodpecker in apple and maple trees and eagerly sip the sap 



