THE WOODLAND IN APRIL 293 



answered, " but neither of them are so numerous 

 as the other three described; we will, however, 

 leave Titland, for I heard a tapping at the back of 

 us which introduces us at once to the Nuthatch, a 

 typical woodland bird." 



" The Nuthatch, did you say ? " 



" Yes," I replied. " Be very silent, for he is a 

 recluse bird, and hates to be watched. I have 

 him now; it is a fine male. Just watch him 

 hammering away at that dead branch; notice his 

 short tail, ochre breast, bluish-grey back, and 

 generally his uncommon appearance amongst 

 British birds." 



" I have a fine sight of him. Why he has now 

 flown a little further away, and is actually coming 

 down the tree head foremost." 



" He never comes down in any other manner," 

 I replied. 



" And what kind of a song has he ? Does he 

 aspire as a songster ? " 



" No," I answered, " he possesses a very human- 

 like whistle; but beyond this his vocal powers 

 are not great." 



" And what is his food ? " 



" Come down this woodland glade and I will 

 show you," said I. " You see that rough-barked 

 Oak tree and those empty nut-shells cleverly and 

 securely notched in the crevices ? " 



" I do; but what of that ? " 



