THE NUTHATCH. 169 



Habitat. This bird frequents oak and beech woods, and 

 seems to prefer the spots where pine and fir trees grow. In 

 such situations it may be observed throughout the year ; 

 though in winter it frequently approaches the villages, and 

 flies into barns and stables. The cage in which a Nuthatch is 

 kept must be of wire, as it would very speedily destroy a 

 wooden one. 



Food. In a wild state the Nuthatch feeds upon various 

 species of insects, for which, being an excellent climber, it 

 searches in the cracks and crevices of trees. Beech mast and 

 nuts it generally fixes in a crevice before eating them. In 

 confinement it may be fed on hemp seed and barley meal, and 

 will also eat oats and bread. The oats it has often been seen 

 to fix one by one in the joints of the floor, and always with 

 the thinner end of the grains uppermost, that they might be 

 split with least difficulty. If it be allowed to range the 

 room, which is inconvenient, on account of its propensity 

 to destroy the wood- work, it hides a great part of whatever 

 food is given to it. 



Breeding. It builds in hollow trees, and the female lays 

 six or seven w r hite eggs, beautifully spotted with red. 



Mode of Taking. The Nuthatch may be caught in the Tit- 

 trap, if baited with oats and hemp seed, as well as in the barn- 

 floor trap. Its cry is "Gou ! Dek ! Dek /" 



Attractive Qualities. The beauty of its plumage, its ex- 

 traordinary cunning in eating and hiding its food, and its 

 general liveliness, form its chief recommendations. 



ADDITIONAL. This beautiful and lively little bird occurs in 

 various parts of England, but chiefly in the southern parts ; in 

 Scotland it does not appear to have been hitherto observed. The 

 best description of its peculiarities by a British Naturalist which 

 we have met with, is that furnished by Mr. HARLEY, of Leicester, 

 to MACGILLIVEAY, and quoted by him in his valuable History: 

 " This bird remains with us throughout the year, inhabiting the 

 park and old inclosure more than the hedge-row tree, or the dense 

 umbrageous wood. In fact, I have never seen it upon our hedge- 

 row trees, although I have often sought for it when I have been 

 watching the haunts of the Woodpeckers, which so much resem- 

 ble it in their habits. In winter, it is not quite mute, but has a 

 small piping note, not unlike that of the Creeper. This is a call- 

 company note, inasmuch as the Nuthatch in winter feeds in little 

 companies, or families, of four or six individuals. On the 21st of 



