22 CASSELL'S book OF BIRDS. 



The Silia Europaa is a very similar species, also inhabiting Europe. These birds are met with 

 in all parts of our continent, from Jutland to the most southern latitudes, and are usually to be seen 

 in pairs or small parties. Although they by no means avoid the society of man, they principally 

 frequent woods and forests, but leave these retreats during the autumn, to wander for a time over the 

 surrounding country. Insects, spiders, seeds, and berries constitute the principal food of the 

 Nuthatches, and they also occasionally swallow gravel or small stones, in order to assist digestion. 



The eggs, from si.x to nine in number, are laid about May ; these are white, marked and spotted 

 with deep red. The female alone broods, and the eggs are hatched within a fortnight. Both parents 

 assist in the labour of instructing and tending the little family, and rear them principally upon cater- 

 pillars. The young remain in the nest until fully fledged, and do not begin life on their own account 

 until after the moulting season. 



THE SYRIAN NUTHATCH. 



The Syrian Nuthatch {Sitta Syriaca) is somewhat larger than the species above described, 

 from which it also differs in its mode of life and habits. The upper parts of the body are greyish 

 blue, and the under side partially of a yellowsh shade ; the throat, a large portion of the breast, and 

 the centre of the belly are white ; the tail is grey, spotted with yellowish brown on the inner web of 

 the exterior feathers. 



This species, which is somewhat larger than the bird last described, is commonly met with in 

 Greece, and is also found in Syria, and on the lofty mountains between Bosnia and Dalmatia. 

 Everywhere it exclusively frequents rocky heights, ascending and descending the most precipitous 

 dechvities with the utmost facility. It never enters forests, but occasionally seeks shelter in detached 

 clumps of trees. Insects, seeds, and berries afford it the means of existence, and when in quest of 

 these it displays activity and cleverness fully equalling its congeners. 



The strange, penetrating cry of the Syrian Nuthatch closely resembles a burst of shrill laughter. 

 Muhle tells us that the nest is constructed in a nook in some rock, so situated that it is warmed by 

 the rays of the sun, either in the morning or at noon. The nest itself is about eleven inches long, and 

 carefully formed of clay ; the entrance passage sometimes terminates in a cavity, warmly lined with 

 different kinds of hair. The exterior wall, according to Muhle, is frequently decorated with the wings 

 of some species of beetles. The eggs, usually eight or nine in number, have a white shell, spotted with 

 red, and are laid about May. The female is so devoted to her young that she may be taken by hand 

 while engaged in the duty of incubation. 



The CREEPERS {Sittdld) inhabit New Holland, and are distinguishable from the members of 

 the group above described by their awl-shaped beak, which is much compressed at its sides, and 

 notched at the extremity of the upper mandible. The second and third quills in the wing are the 

 longest, and extend as far as the end of the short even tail. As regards their general habits, these 

 birds closely resemble the other members of their family; the nests, however, are entirely different, 

 both as to position and structure. 



THE BONNETED CREEPER. 

 The Bonneted Creeper (Sitteila pileata), a species inhabiting South-western Austraha, is black 

 on the top of the head, greyish brown on the nape and back, and blackish brown on the wings ; the 

 brow, a stripe over the eyes, the throat, breast, and centre of the belly are all white, the two latter 

 shaded with greyish brown toward the side ; the quills are blackish brown, with a reddish brown patch 

 in their centre, and a greyish brown tip. The eye is yellowish brown, the beak yellow at its base and 



