66 Bird Comrades 



and fiercest storms, often at an altitude of 8,000 feet. 

 Their breeding range is from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, the latter 

 elevation being only a little below the timber line. 



In spite of his unique and interesting habits, the poets 

 have scarcely begun to chant the praises of the American 

 nuthatch. One of the best tributes I have been able to 

 find is from the pen of Edith Thomas, who apostrophizes 

 our bird in this way: 



''Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, 

 Whom I meet on my walk of a winter day, 

 You're busy inspecting each cranny and hole 

 In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole; 

 You intent on your task, and I on the law 

 Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw! 



1 The woodpecker well may despair of this feat 

 Only the fly with you can compete! 

 So much is clear; but I fain would know 

 How you can so reckless and fearless go, 

 Head upward, head downward, all one to you, 

 Zenith and nadir the same to your view." 



We have now described the American nuthatch quar- 

 tette, and will turn to other fields no less inviting, albeit 

 more remote. The nuthatch of central Europe, scientific- 

 ally known as Sitta cczsia, is closely related to our Ameri- 

 can forms, resembling them in many of his habits. In 

 studying the literature of the transatlantic species, we at 

 once stumble upon the reason for calling this avian family 

 by the somewhat peculiar and apparently inapt name of 

 nuthatch. The older English form of the word was " nut- 

 hack," which unfortunately has been changed to "nut- 

 hatch," a word that gives an erroneous impression, for no 



