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WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES 

 are acrobatic tree climbers. They may 

 be seen running over trunks or limbs of 

 our woodland trees in all conceivable 

 positions. We are accustomed to say 

 that woodpeckers have stiffened tail 

 feathers to assist them in clinging to 

 and climbing trees, yet here is a bird 

 with no special development of tail or 

 feet which is incomparably better, for 

 not only do they climb upward faster 

 but they can run down tree trunks, 

 head first, equally as easily. 



The term Nuthatch is derived from 

 the supposed habit of European spe- 

 cies of "hatching" at or hacking nuts 

 to get at the kernels. It would have 

 to be a very thin shelled nut for our 

 species to break but he is an adept at 

 prying up pieces of bark to get at eggs 

 or larvae of insects that are hidden be- 

 neath. As might be expected of birds 

 which are constantly about the large 

 limbs or trunks of trees, Nuthatches 

 nest in cavities. The usual note of this 

 species is a nasal "yank, yank," but in 

 spring they utter a loud, rapid, tenor 

 "hah-hah-hah-hah-etc." 



for he spends the winter far enough south to escape severe 

 cold and only returns in spring to spend a few days with 

 us while the warblers are passing north. We find this spe- 

 cies chiefly in pines from the tops of which their delightful 

 songs, surprisingly loud and clear for such tiny creatures, 

 float down to us. 



Some birds are climbers, some clingers, some creepers 

 and some flutterers, but Nuthatches are more than all these, 

 they are acrobats of the highest order. The whole woods 

 are their gymnasiums and every tree is part of their appa- 

 ratus. With the exception of enlarged toe nails, Nuthatches 

 are not apparently better adapted for an athletic life than 

 many other birds but no others can equal the ease and agil- 

 ity with which they clamber up, down and around branches 

 or tree trunks. 



Of our two species, the White-breasted Nuthatch is the 

 most abundant and is resident throughout the year. RED- 

 BREASTED NUTHATCHES, which may be recognized 

 not only by their smaller size and ruddy under parts, but 

 by the black stripe on each side of the head, are abundant 

 during migrations and many of them nest in mountains. 

 They frequent coniferous trees almost exclusively. 



