NUTHATCH. 233 



NUTHATCH, WRYNECK, CREEPER, 

 SHRIKES, AND KINGFISHER. 



r I ^HE only species now remaining to be described, in order to render 

 our volume a complete " Natural History of the Smaller British. 

 Birds/' are included in the group before us. Though only seven in 

 number, they belong to no less than five distinct families. First the 

 little Nuthatch represents the Sittince, a family remarkable for the 

 restless and active habits of its members. Their legs and feet are 

 short, while their claws are long, curved, and very sharp, this con- 

 struction enabling them to move about over the trunks and branches 

 with extreme rapidity, and to cling to them with perfect safety and 

 security with the body downwards or in any position. They are full and 

 compact in form, and have short necks, large heads, long wings, and 

 short tails. Their beaks are straight, strong, and sharp. Only one 

 species of Nuthatch is found in this country. 



The Wryneck, one of the most delicately marked and beautiful of 

 British birds, belongs to a family neany allied to the Woodpeckers, 

 and having the not very elegant name of Yunx. Its general form is 

 slight, and it has a rather short beak, wings of moderate length, and 

 a longish tail. 



Next in order comes the diminutive Creeper, belonging to the Cer- 

 thince. Short and slender bodies, wings of moderate length, and long 

 tails, are the characteristics of this family. 



