NUTHATCH. 649 



bird nicely flops up part of it with clay, leaving only a fmall hole 

 for itfelf to pafs in and out by. While the hen is fitting, if any 

 one puts a bit of flick into the hole, fhe hifTes like a Snake, and 

 is fo attached to her eggs, that fhe will fooner fuffer any one to 

 pluck off her feathers than fly away. During the time of incuba- 

 tion, the male fupplies her with fuflenance, with all the tendernefs 

 of an affectionate mate. 



The general food confifls of 'Caterpillars, Beetles, and all forts of 

 infects, as well as nuts. Willughby obferves, that it is a pretty 

 fpedlacle to fee her fetch a nut out of her hoard, when, placing it 

 fafl in a chink, fhe flands above it, with the head downwards, and, 

 flriking it with all her force, breaks the fhell, and catches up 

 the kernel. 



This bird runs up and down the trees like the Woodpecker, is 

 folitary, and often moves the tail like the Wagtail; it does not 

 migrate, but changes its fituation in winter, as it often, at that 

 time, approaches inhabited places, fometimes coming into orchards 

 and gardens. The young are accounted good eating. 



It is fuppofed not to fleep perched, like other birds, on a twigi 

 for it has been obferved, that when kept in a cage, notwithftand- 

 ing it would perch now and then, yet at night it would, if poflible, 

 creep into fome hole or corner to fleep in ; and it is remarkable, 

 that when perched, or otherwife at reft, it has moftly the head 

 downwards, or at leaft even with the body, and not elevated like 

 other birds. 



4O Le 



