THE NUTHATCH. 87 



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. 



These nuthatches remained near the house for the whole summer, rarely 

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

 autumn, they no sooner heard the report of a gun than they disappeared, 

 and were never again seen. It is possible that fear alone had driven them 

 so far that they could not find their way home again ; they did not knew 

 that there they would have been in greater safety. 



If these birds are left at liberty in the room, they are accustomed, like 

 the tits, to hide the greater part of what is given to them, to keep it for 

 another meal ; but their trick of piercing holes in the wood makes them 

 inconvenient, and therefore it is better to keep them in a cage. 



Breeding. — The nuthatch builds its nest in the holes of old trees, and 

 lays six or seven eggs spotted with red. 



Mode of Taking As it has the same taste for hemp seed and oats as 



the tits, it may often be caught in the same snare ; it may also be taken ia 

 the area or barn floor tiap. Its call is " gru^ dek, dek^ 



Attractive Qualities Its plumage, liveliness, agility, and great 



cuaaing in catching and hiding its food, are its most agreeable qualities. 



WUTHATCh CLAW. 



