NUTHATCH. 365 



of birds dressed in chaste and sober colours, and 

 restricted to more temperate regions, the known 

 species being found in Europe, North America, 

 and Alpine India. They are active climbers, 

 and breed in the holes of trees. 



SITTA, Linn. Generic characters. Bill 

 straight, somewhat rounded, entire, rather 

 dilated at base ; wings rather long, first 

 quill short, third and fourth largest and equal ; 

 tail short, even ; feet strong, lateral toes 

 very uneven, hallux strong and lengthened, 

 claws hooked, that of the hallux broad and 

 strong. 



Types. S. Europea^ Canadensis^ Himalayana. 



Note. Plumage loose, soft. Europe, America, 

 India chiefly in alpine districts. 



THE NUTHATCH. 



Sitta Europea, LINN. 

 PLATE XXII. 



Sitta Europea, Linn Nuthatch of British authors. 



WITHIN these few years, very considerable 

 additions have been made to this genus. One 

 species was only considered to exist in Europe, 

 the others being confined to North America; 

 but true species have since been discovered in 

 India, and two have been added to the European 



