36 Forest Birds. 



great part of its weight when climbing, much as the 

 woodpecker does on its tail. 



Insects found on trees, also berries, beechmast, 

 and acorns form the chief food of the Nuthatch. It is 

 especially fond, however, of nut kernels. But how 

 can a little bird break through the hard shell of a 

 hazel nut ? Let us watch it at its work. A nut is 

 found may be it was in some secret nook in which 



FIG. 9. 



Foot of Green Woodpecker. 

 From nature. Natural size. 



the bird had laid it up we see it fly off with its 

 treasure to a rough-barked tree, and fix it securely 

 in a crevice of the bark. Here it takes a firm stand, 

 and begins to hammer at the nut might and main 

 with its sharp bill (Fig. 12),until bit by bit a ragged 

 hole is cut in the shell, but, just as we think it has 

 achieved its object, a last blow dislodges the nut, and 

 down it falls. Not far, however, for like a flash the 



