The Nuthatch. 35 



worked its whole body as a lever from the tarsal 

 joint, and in perfect time with every stroke, it gave 

 a short, quick flap with its wings as if to keep its 

 balance. Bound and round that spot it walked, 

 attacking it from every possible point, until at last 

 the piece of bark broke off, and then like lightning 

 the little bird seized its well-earned prize. 



All this time we were seated with our arm out- 

 stretched under the old oak, when, happening to 

 look down, we saw within a foot of our fingers an 

 adder, with head erect, staring hard at us with its 

 cold green eyes. The reptile was prepared to spring, 

 but as we gently withdrew our hand it softly glided 

 away, and disappeared in the surrounding under- 

 growth. 



The Nuthatch's mode of climbing is very different 

 from that of the woodpecker. It gains no help 

 from its tail, which is short, square, and soft (Fig. 7, 

 p. 28), and, moreover, a long tail would be an incon- 

 venience in its many sudden twists and turns. The 

 feet alone provide its climbing powers. Unlike the 

 woodpecker, which carries two toes in front and two 

 behind (Fig. 9), the Nuthatch has three in front and 

 one behind (Fig. 11), the hind toe and claw being by 

 far the strongest. Where the hind toe joins the 

 foot there is a sort of pad, and upon this, which may 

 well be called the heel of the foot, the bird rests a. 



