The Nuthatch Family 61 



bark of the trees. I have watched a pair for an hour 

 diligently laying by a store of sunflower seeds, which they 

 had found at the edge of the woods. They do not store 

 a quantity of provision in one place like the squirrels, but 

 deposit a tidbit here and there, wedging it tightly into a 

 crevice by hammering it with their stout bills. Of course, 

 the woodpeckers and tomtits secure many of these half- 

 hidden goodies, but Master Nuthatch does not mind that, 

 for he evens up the theft by appropriating their stores 

 when he finds them. 



The white-breasted nuthatch may be known by his 

 flat body and broad shoulders, his bluish gray coat, black 

 cap and mantle (all in one piece) , white cravat, shirt bosom 

 and vest, with a few rufous decorations on the belly and 

 under tail-coverts. The following quotations from Wilson 

 are given as much for their vivacious manner as for the 

 story itself: 



" The male is extremely attentive to the female while 

 sitting, supplying her regularly with sustenance, stopping 

 frequently at the mouth of the hole, calling and offering 

 her what he has brought, in the most endearing manner. 

 Sometimes he seems to stop merely to inquire how she 

 is, and to lighten the tedious moments with his soothing 

 chatter. He seldom rambles far from the spot, and when 

 danger appears, regardless of his own safety, he flies 

 instantly to alarm her. When both are feeding on the 

 trunk of the same tree, or of adjoining trees, he is perpetu- 

 ally calling on her; and, from the momentary pause he 

 makes, it is plain he feels pleased to hear her reply. 



