BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
213 
woody layers of trees, and Nuthatches in positions as to lead to the sus- 
picion that they had placed them there. In fine, birds have been seen 
engaged in this identical business. 
. Their favorite food being insects, in all their different stages, where 
abundance of them exist they seldom stray for any considerable distance 
from their accustomed woods during the breeding-season. When snow or 
ice debars them from access to the trunk and branches of trees, they have 
been known to visit houses and out-buildings for the requisite food, and 
even to hunt among the leaves upon the ground of sheltered localities for 
the seeds of j^lants. Ordinarily dry, high thickets are preferred to the 
noise and bustle of buman life. It is chiefly at such times that the sexes 
part company, and seem engrossed by the most selfish feelings. 
While remarkably fond of the joys of the table, as evidenced by the 
industry and perseverance with which they pursue their gastronomic ex- 
ploits, they are not so thoroughly epicurean in their lives as to forget the 
claims of affection. Their devotion to each other is nearly unbounded, and 
is scarcely excelled, if at all, by that which characterizes our smaller 
Titmice. This feeling of love, as is natural to suppose, cannot fail to lead 
to an early assumption of conjugal relations. Accordingly we find that 
preparations for this work are entered into early. About the time that 
the Warblers are beginning to make the woods and fields lively with their 
exhilarating songs and diversions, these loving, sympathetic beings, already 
mated, are beginning to look themselves out a home. Like the Wood- 
peckers and Chickadees, they sometimes excavate a hole in the decayed 
trunk or branch of a forest-tree, or in the solid wood itself. Usually, 
however, they search for one already prepared, either in the trunk of a 
tree, in the creviced wall of an out-building, or in a hollow rail in a 
fence. In any event, more or. less work of construction is necessary. 
When the labor of excavation has commenced, the birds work by turns. 
The one not thus occupied waits upon its mate, and carries out the chips 
that are made, to a safe distance from the nest. The cavities thus made 
vary in depth, some being not more than ten inches deep, while others 
