The Queer Performance of a Nuthatch 



Mrs. Viola F. Richards 

 S. Deerfield, Mass. 



Up under the eaves, on the south side of our barn is a bird-box 

 which was made by hollowing out a short length of decayed oak 

 log, boring an entrance hole, and putting on pieces of board for roof 

 and floor. 



During the winter, white-breasted nuthatches used this box as 

 a store-house, and were frequently seen carrying in food, or bring- 

 ing it out. That they used it also for a lodging place at night is 

 very likely, as it is a habit of white-breasts to occupy such 

 quarters. 



One day early in April I chanced to look up at this bird-box, and 

 my attention was attracted by the peculiar actions of a nuthatch 

 which was. moving rapidly about on the box, swinging her head 

 from side to side, in what I took to be an endeavor to rid herself of 

 a feather which appeared to be caught in her bill. 



While I watched, she flew away, minus the feather, and I 

 experienced a feeling of relief in her behalf. 



In a few minutes I discovered her back again, going through the 

 same performance. 



With my curiosity now thoroughly aroused, I ran for my bird- 

 glass, and watching through it, I found that the bird was actually 

 sweeping her house all over, outside. 



Back and forth over the top — paying careful attention to the 

 corners and edges — and up and down the sides she ran, continually 

 moving her head from side to side, with the white feather broom 

 in her bill. Once she lost her hold on the feather, and it floated 

 downward, but before it had gone far, she darted down, deftly 

 caught it and resumed her work. 



After several minutes of this activity, she was apparently satis- 

 fied with the result of her efforts and flew away. 



The wind blew furiously, that day, and the air was full of flying 

 dirt, but Mrs. Nuthatch must have been blissfully unconscious of 

 the time and labor she was wasting. However, we judged that a 

 subsequent inspection of the box caused her dissatisfaction, for 

 next day she was seen doing her cleaning all over again. 



Later, a pair of nuthatches nested in the box and raised two 

 broods of young birds. 



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