The Birds and Poets 241 



tree, and again heading earthward, proceeds in 

 spirals round and round, ever moving downward^ 

 searching every crevice in the bark for the micro- 

 scopic eggs and larvae of tree insects, upon which 

 he feeds. Both species have long, sharp bills well 

 suited for the careful search of the crannies in 

 the rough bark which contain their food. 



Edith M. Thomas has written an amusing 

 description of the acrobatic powers of the 

 nuthatch : 



"Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, 

 Whom I met on my walk of a winter day — 

 You're busy inspecting each cranny and hole 

 In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole ; 

 You intent on your task and I on the law 

 Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw! 



The woodpecker well may despair of this feat — 

 Only the fly with you can compete I 

 So much is clear; but I fain would know 

 How you can so reckless and fearless go, 

 Head upward, head downward, all one to you. 

 Zenith and nadir the same in your view." 



The black-capped chickadee, or titmouse, is a 

 universal favorite. His tameness, quaint notes 

 and sprightly ways make him very popular. 



He is almost as skillful an acrobat as his winter 

 friend, the nuthatch, as he 



"Shows feats of his gymnastic play, 

 Head downward, clinging to the spray." 



