The Birds’ Calendar 
. 
The nuthatch, about six inches long, and 
already sufficiently described for identification 
as to color and habits, commonly travels about 
in pairs, making its presence known by a loud 
and peculiar tone not unlike the syllable an, 
and generally uttered twice; besides this it 
has a much softer note, and I have once heard 
a very melodious twitter as it quietly rested 
ona branch; but it can hardly be regarded 
as a song-bird, although classed among them. 
Neither can it be called graceful nor handsome, 
but its habits are especially interesting, and it 
gains the more regard from being associated in 
our mind with cold weather, for it disappears 
at the approach of spring, breeding much _far- 
ther north. 
Wilson says: ‘‘ The name Nuthatch has been 
bestowed on this family from their supposed 
practice of breaking nuts by repeated hatchings 
or hammerings with their bills ;’’ but the same 
writer shows good reason for doubting the va- 
lidity of the name. 
Of the woodpeckers, a family that is ungain- 
ly in form, but attractive in habits, I have seen 
only two species during the month ; first, the 
downy woodpecker, about six inches long, and 
the smallest of the family, black and white curi- 
34 
