384 INSESSORES. SITTA. 



the true Woodpeckers ; CUmacteris (Temm.), Tichodromv 

 (III.), Sitta (Linn.), Xenops (Hoffman.), &c. Mr Swain- 

 son also thinks that the Wrens (genus Trogiodytea) strictly 

 belong to this family, and not to the Sylvuxdee. In this opi- 

 nion I concur, and have accordingly transferred our Common 

 Wren to a station in the present group. 



Genus SITTA, LiNi^. NUTHATCH. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill straight, cylindrical, slightly compressed, subulated, 

 upper mandible rather longer than the lower one, the tip 

 acuminated. Tongue short, horny, and armed at the point. 

 Nostrils basal, and rounded, partly hidden by reflected 

 bristles. Feet with three toes before, and one behind, the 

 outer toe being joined at its base to the middle one ; hind 

 toe of the same length as, or longer than, the middle toe, 

 with a long and hooked claw. Tail consisting of twelve 

 feathers. Wings rather short ; the first quill very short, the 

 third and fourth being the longest. 



The several species of this genus are climbers, and differ 

 from the Woodpeckers, in being able to ascend or to descend 

 the trunks of trees with equal readiness. 



They feed upon insects, in every state, and also on nuts 

 and seeds. They breed in the natural cavities of trees, or 

 in the deserted holes made by Woodpeckers. 



The sexes are similar in plumage, and they are subject to 

 only one moult in the year. Europe possesses but one spe- 

 cies. 



