THE NUTHATCH 



or eight eggs are deposited. These are white, spotted with 

 reddish brown and grey. The Nuthatch often makes its 

 nest in a frequented spot in an orchard, and will continue 

 to use the place in spite of much disturbance. Like all 

 hole-builders it is a close sitter. 



The adult Nuthatch is a very pretty bird, having the 

 upper parts, including the two centre tail-feathers, the 

 secondaries, and the margins of the primaries, clear blue- 

 grey ; the white eye-stripe and black band on each side 

 of the head through the eye are very conspicuous ; the 

 wings are brown, the remaining tail-feathers black 

 marked with white. The cheeks, throat, and centres of 

 the under tail-coverts are white, the remainder of the 

 under parts buff, shading into chestnut on the flanks and 

 the margins of the under tail-coverts. Bill lead-colour, 

 paler below ; tarsi and toes pale brown ; irides brown. 

 Length nearly 6 inches. The nestling closely resembles 

 the adult in general colour, but the under parts are not 

 so rich a chestnut, none of the remaining tints are so 

 brilliant, and the bill is much paler. 



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