150 THE COMMON NUTHATCH. 



It resembles the woodpecker in some of its habits, 

 and indeed it is, by some, called the blue wood- 

 pecker, though incorrectly. It feeds on nuts, 

 seeds, and various kinds of insects : it is in pur- 

 suit of this part of its food, that it climbs the 

 stems of trees, and taps them with its bill like 

 the woodpecker. In the winter it is sometimes 

 seen in orchards and gardens ; but its habitual 

 dwelling is in the woods : here it makes its nest 

 in the hollow of a tree. The hen bird is said 

 never to quit the eggs, and will allow herself to 

 be taken rather than abandon them. During 

 the time she is sitting, she is said to be wholly 

 dependent on the male bird for her food ; and he, 

 on his part, is singularly attentive to his little 

 companion. As soon as the young ones can do 

 without the assistance of a parent, they all sepa- 

 rate, and each bird lives a hermit life the rest of 

 the year. The hollow trees which furnish these 

 birds with sheltered places for rearing their young, 

 serve also for their nightly resting-places at other 

 seasons : here, too, they store up their hoards of 

 provision for winter food. 



The nuthatch, remaining with us all the year, 

 prudently prepares for the approach of a season 

 when the fruits of the earth will be gathered in, 

 and the insect tribes safely secured in their win- 

 ter hiding-places. , In the autumn this thrifty 



