It is supposed that the young are fed by the parents 

 ejecting food from their stomachs. 



See an interesting account in Mont. Orn. Die. 



GENUS XL 



SITTA. 



Bill subulate, straight, sharp pointed; nostrils 

 covered with reflected bristles ; feet three toes for- 

 wards, one backward. 



1. EUROPEA. NUT-HATCH, WOOD-CRACKER, 

 NUT-JOBBER. 



S. plumbea, subtus sub-fermginea fascia transoculari 

 nigra, rectricibus lateralibus nigris prope apictm 

 albidis. Shaw. 



The bill is strong, black above, beneath white ; 

 irides hazel ; the crown and upper parts are of a fine 

 bluish grey ; the cheeks and chin are white ; breast 

 and belly are of a dull orange ; quills dusky ; the legs 

 are pale yellow. 



The female lays 6 or 7 white eggs, spotted with 

 rust colour. 



She forms her nest in the hole of a tree, the en- 



