PERCHING BIRDS. 223 



the names given to this bird in France is pic-macon. 

 Birdnesting boys when they find a hole that has 

 been recently plastered are almost certain of find- 

 ing it tenanted. 



The nuthatch hides nuts, probably for a supply 

 in hard times, because its food consists entirely of 

 those kinds that are only to be had otherwise at 

 certain seasons. One of these birds was seen in 

 the act of concealing a nut. It flew past a window 

 with a large nut in its bill, which it proceeded to 

 fix into several crevices in the dry ground, where 

 it could get a purchase, but after repeated blows, 

 which failed in cracking the shell, it appeared to 

 give the matter up as hopeless. It was then ob- 

 served to carry the nut a yard or two, and push 

 it by main force into a crevice near the area, and 

 then catching up two or three pieces of moss care, 

 fully and completely to cover it with them, which 

 done, it flew away. 



It is resident here all the year, approaching 

 orchards and gardens in the winter, but is not 

 equally numerous in every district. 



The little creeper, also, like the nuthatch, glides 

 up and down the stems of trees. It is a most 

 interesting little creature, and with the exception 

 of the golden-crested wren, is the smallest of 

 the British birds. So light is it, that the most 

 slender twig will bear it, and it runs over the 



