242 TUE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



of an old tree. If the opening is largo the intending resident plasters 

 it up with clay, leaving just sufficient room to admit of the passage 

 of its body. Within the chamber, dry leaves, moss and grass are 

 heaped together to form a lining. The eggs, from six to eight in 

 number, are greyish white, spotted with reddish brown. The note 

 of this bird resembles the syllables 'quit, quit;' it is mellow and flute- 

 like, and may be heard at a considerable distance. 



An interesting anecdote of the Nuthatch is related by Bechstein in 

 his "Cage Birds :" "A lady amused herself in winter with throwing 

 seeds on the terrace below the window, to feed the birds in the 

 neighbourhood. She put some hemp-seed and cracked nuts even on 

 the window-sill, and on a board, particularly for her favourites, the 

 Blue Tits. Two Nuthatches came one day to have their share in this 

 repast, and were so well pleased that they became quite familiar, and 

 did not even go away in the following spring to get their natural 

 food and to build their nest in the wood. They settled themselves in 

 the hollow of an old tree near the house. As soon as the two young 

 ones, which they reared here, were able to fly, they brought them to 

 the hospitable window where they were to be nourished, and soon 

 after disappeared entirely. It was amusing to see the two new visitors 

 hang or climb on the walls or blinds, while their benefactress put their 

 food on the board. These pretty creatures, as well as the Tits, knew 

 her so well, that when she drove away the Sparrows which came to 

 steal what was not intended for them, they did not fly away also, but 

 seemed to know that what was done was only to protect and defend 

 them. They remained near the house for the whole summer, rarely 

 wandering, till one fatal day, at the beginning of the sporting season, 

 in autumn, when on hearing the report of a gun, they 'disappeared, 

 and were never seen again." 



The adult male weighs about six drachms, and is about five inches 

 and three quarters in length. The upper parts of the body are bluish 

 grey; the cheeks and throat are white. A black band runs from the 

 beak beneath the eye, and for some distance down the sides of the 

 head. The lower parts are light reddish yellow. The female is a little 

 smaller than the male, and has the tints of her plumage somewhat 

 paler. 



