THi; M THATCH '215 



THE NUTHATCH 

 [E. L. TURNER] 



The nuthatch resembles the tree-creeper in being a great fre- 

 <|iirnter of tree-trunks ami a mighty hunter of insects: but here the 

 iVM'inUaiu-e ctMM-x. The nuthatch is r;ixj|\ distmjjuislu'il from the 

 tree-creeper by his larger size, gayer colours, rather stumpy body, and 

 loud but mellow call-note : " Be (/uick, I* (juick, h (puck" He has no 

 tail worth boasting about, and what he does possess is not used in 

 climbing. Again, unlike the tree-creeper, the nuthatch depends 

 entirely upon his powerful feet and claws when climbing in search of 

 food. He moves either up or down a tree by a series of short, jerky 

 runs, and in a much more direct manner than the furtive tree-creeper ; 

 in fact, he cannot be equalled in his headlong rapid descent by any 

 bird. 



Perhaps no species differ so widely in their manner of following 

 identical pursuits as do these two ; for while the tree-creeper, when 

 hunting, employs the silent, insinuating methods already described 

 (vol. L), the nuthatch disdains secrecy and makes his presence known 

 to his prey by a series of short, sharp taps on the bark with his sledge- 

 hammer bill, peremptorily demanding immediate and unconditional 

 surrender, and, in fact, giving the victim no choice. The nuthatch is 

 typical of Death Triumphant forcing admittance into the Home of 

 Life. For the feelings of his quarry he cares not, but hunts as if he 

 thoroughly enjoyed the sport; cheerfulness and courage being his 

 chief characteristics. 



Perhaps the nuthatch's attire of gay chestnut and blue-grey 



so difficult for the photographer to render correctly may account 



for this happy disposition ; for who knows what influence bright 



clothes have upon character! Drab garments often betoken drab 



lives. 



