102 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



the local names of <( Woodcracker " and " Nut jobber," 

 and (having' reference to its nest) it is very frequently 

 known as the " Mudstopper/' 



The whole of the upper part of the Nuthatch is of a 

 pretty slate-grey colour ; the throat, breast, and belly are 

 buff, shading upon the flanks and under tail-coverts to 

 chesnut ; from the base of the beak, past the eye, and run- 

 ning to the back of the ear, is a streak of black, which, 

 separating the grey of the upper part from the buff of the 

 breast, gives character to its distinctive prettiness. The 

 legs and claws are light brown. The foot has three toes in 

 front and one behind, which are especially strong, as, in 

 climbing, this bird does not use its tail as does the Wood- 

 pecker, which bird has also a different arrangement of its 

 feet. The wings are short, as is also the tail, and both 

 a^e rounded. The white edging of the feathers of the 

 tail are very plainly discernible when the bird is flying. 



The length of the Nuthatch is about six inches. 



The male bird is considered handsomer than the female, 

 although it will take an experienced eye to tell the dif- 

 ference ; yet it will generally be found that the female has 

 not such bright chesnut brown upon the flanks. 



These birds generally associate in couples (which is one 

 of the peculiarities, too, of the Woodpecker tribe), and are 

 also somewhat (f local " in their choice of a home. They 

 usually affect woods, plantations, and parks, especially if 

 the latter have fine old oak or other forest trees ; yet it 

 cannot be said that the Nuthatch is a scarce bird. 



Their food is principally composed of nuts, but they 

 also eat corn and grain, acorns and beech-nuts, whilst 

 (possibly as a corrective to so much vegetable food) they 

 will at times feed upon beetles, caterpillars, and other 



