21 



Fig. 16. Does a Nuthatch like nuts? Note the inverted posi- 

 tion. These birds love to be head downward. 



White-breasted Nuthatch 



Here is an acrobat worthy of notice. Apparently in de- 

 fiance of all laws of gravity, he nimbly runs down tree 

 trunks head-foremost, with never a falter. To him, the un- 

 der side of a limb is just as secure a resting place as the 

 top. A very close watch of his movements will show how 

 he is able to get into such unbalanced positions ; one foot 

 is carried well forward under his breast but the other is 

 reached back and grasps the bark behind so he can progress 

 downward in a series of quick hitches. 



