286 BRITISH BIRDS. 



pale yellow; claws large, sharp, and much bent, 

 the back claw very strong; when extended the 

 foot measures one inch and three quarters. 



This, like the Woodpecker, frequents woods, and 

 is a shy and solitary bird: the female lays her 

 eggs, which are white, with a few pale brown 

 spots, in holes of trees, frequently in those which 

 have been deserted by the Woodpecker. The nest 

 is fitted up with layers of the very thin flakes or 

 laminae of the bark of the Scotch fir. During the 

 time of incubation, she is easily driven from her 

 nest, and on being disturbed, hisses like a snake. 

 The Nuthatch feeds on caterpillars, beetles, and 

 various kinds of insects; it likewise eats nuts, and 

 from its expertness in cracking them has obtained 

 its name: having placed a nut fast in a chink, it 

 takes its stand a little above, and striking it with 

 all its force, perforates the shell and picks out the 

 kernel; \vhen disturbed at its work, it very readily 

 removes the nut and flies away with it. In the 

 same way it also breaks into the very hard shells 

 of the stone pine. Like the Woodpecker, it moves 

 up and down the trunks of trees Avith great facility, 

 in search of food. It does not migrate, but in the 

 winter approaches nearer inhabited places, and is 

 sometimes seen in orchards and gardens. 



