The Bird Book 



of small birds, journeying together through the 

 woods. The silence is broken by the loud, cheery 

 note of the Nuthatch, which is quickly espied 

 running nimbly up and down the larger boughs, 

 stopping to tap vigorously here and there, followed 

 by a suite of Tits, Treecreepers and perhaps a 

 Gold-crest. Let us suppose that we are watching 

 such a procession. Placing ourselves in the line 

 of route, they pass close by us and, if we keep 

 still, apparently ignore our presence. This power 

 of keeping still is the great secret of observing 

 birds ; indeed, it is one of the axioms of successful 

 field study, the key that alone can unlock many 

 a woodland mystery. While keeping still I have 

 seen birds settle on the ground within a yard of me 

 and behave as if quite unconscious of observation. 

 Of the birds we are watching, the Nuthatch 

 first claims our attention, and immediately becomes 

 a warm favourite, for he is a fascinating and whole- 

 hearted little bird the very soul of energy and 

 activity. There is an abandon in all his move- 

 ments, and when he has discovered his prey 

 lurking beneath the bark, he works with feverish 

 haste till it is dislodged, literally converting him- 

 self into a living hammer. Body, neck and head 

 are kept rigid, and, swinging from his powerful 

 legs, he brings down his bill unerringly with all 

 the force of which he is capable, making a loud 

 tapping noise, which can be heard at a considerable 

 distance. 



