Nuthatch, White-Breasted 



When the trees are incased in ice, which, though not 

 impenetrable by their strong bills, prevents the discovery 



of their food, they are in danger of starving 



Driven by this necessity from their usual haunts, a piece 

 of suet fastened firmly to the branch of a tree, at any 

 time of the winter, would soon be discovered by them 

 and afford them a grateful repast. 



FLAGG. A Year With the Birds. 25 



There is such a lack of sentiment in the nuthatch's 

 character, he seems so matter-of-fact in all his ways, that 

 it is difficult to imagine him indulging in anything like 

 song. But even he cannot withstand the all-conquering 

 influences of spring, and at that season he raises his voice 

 in a peculiar monotone a tenor hah-hah-hah-hah-hah 

 sounding strangely like mirthless laughter. 



CHAPMAN. Handbook of Birds. 21 



CALL-NOTE : 



Ick-ick-ick. STEARNS. 



Kauk-kauk. NUTTALL. 



A loud nasal yank, yank. CHAPMAN. 



Yak, yak, yak, yak-ah, ak-ah. MERRIAM. 



Quah-quah. THOREAU. 



Up and down the maples rough and shaggy-coated, 

 Busy searching through the lichens all the day, 



Shyly creeps the tiny nuthatch snowy-throated, 

 Sharply eyeing every crevice for its prey. 



SELECTED. 

 97 



