134 THE NUTHATCH 



seen and in Ireland it is so far unknown. Beech-mast it 

 is fond of in our own woods, but it feeds on insects on 

 the ground as well as in the trees. This species, like the 

 last-mentioned, is very mouse-like in its movements and 

 many ornithologists assert that it sleeps with the head 

 and back downwards. 



The Nuthatch is as big as a Sparrow, but more solid ; 

 above bluish-grey; underneath white or rust-red; over 

 the eye a black stripe. The tail is not adapted for 

 climbing. Legs short and strong, claws strong and 

 sickle-shaped, three toes turn to the front, one to the 

 back. The clutch consits of six or eight white eggs, 

 speckled with rust-red. The nest is formed of a wide 

 hole, which so walled in by the bird with earth and 

 clay that there is only just room for it to go in and out. 



