CREEPERS; NUTHATCH. 465 



movements ; and search every crevice as they ascend. They will 

 even pass round a horizontal branch, clinging to its under- 

 surface with their backs to the ground. When they have 

 ascended one tree and completely searched it, they fly off to the 

 base of another, to search it in like manner. When thus 

 employed, they show little timorousness ; and will permit them- 

 selves to be approached within a few feet. The species which 

 inhabits this country is a permanent resident, not a migrant ; 

 for its food is to be obtained at all seasons. It is very generally 

 distributed over Europe, and seems to be the same with the 

 Creeper that inhabits North America. The Nuthatches have a 

 stronger, straighter and more conical bill ; they are for the most 

 part small Birds, and present a considerable resemblance to the 



Tits ( 400) in their 

 general habits, as well 

 as in their form, size, 

 and colouring. They 

 are remarkable for 

 restless activity, mov- 

 ing with extreme 

 quickness up and 

 down the branches 

 and trunks of trees, 



FIG. 261. EUROPEAN NUTHATCH. . . 



searching for insects 



in the crevices of bark and among the leaves, clinging and hang- 

 ing to the twigs, turning with astonishing agility in all direc- 

 tions, and flying from one tree to another in search of their food. 

 Unlike the Creepers, however, they generally descend trees, 

 instead of ascending them ; and they usually sleep with their 

 heads downwards. They feed not only upon insects, larvae, 

 &c. ; but also upon acorns, chesnuts, and other hard fruits, 

 which they split or perforate with their strong bills, after having 

 fixed them in a crevice. There is only one species in Europe ; 

 and this is a resident in South Britain. It is a very amusing 

 Bird in confinement ; but must be kept in a cage entirely formed 

 of wire, as it speedily chips up wood with its bill. Several other 

 species, more or less closely allied to the foregoing, are found in 



