The Nuthatch. 



41 



It seems strange that the Mud-dabber should 

 narrow the entrance to its home, but a possible 

 reason for this habit may be given. It is a very 

 pugnacious bird, and during its encounters with tits 

 and other birds its home is sometimes besieged and 

 even captured. "A small breach is more easily 

 defended than a large one," and may be the Mud- 

 dabber knows this, when it makes the entrance to 

 its nest as small as possible. 



8CKME IN THE KEW FOREST. 



