CIIARACTEKISTICS OF NUTHATCHES 133 



they appear to " hug " the tree as closely as they do in any 

 other posture. They are among the most nimble as well as 

 adroit of creepers, matching any of our birds in activity and 

 restless energy — a Woodpecker, for instance, is almost a sedate 

 bird in comparison. Though not properly gregarious, they are 

 sociable birds, and often gather in troops, with which Titmice, 

 Kinglets and various Warblers may also mix. They are con- 

 fined to woodland, and will be found oftener in high forests, 

 on the larger trees, than in the undergrowth. In their rela- 

 tions to man, these birds are heedless and familiar, as if they 

 trusted to his good williu return for the valuable services they 

 render him in destroying incalculable numbers of nOxious 

 insects — a confidence too often abused by the vulgar and ignor- 

 ant, who harbor against them the same prejudice that exists 

 against the Sapsuckers [Sphyrapicus), the innocent and industri- 

 ous Nuthatches being supposed to injure trees, when the fact 

 is, they spend the whole of their laborious lives in man's ser- 

 vice. Instances are known of some Nuthatches becoming so 

 tame, when they are appreciated and properly treated, as to 

 almost take food from the hand. Tlie voice is harsh, abrupt 

 and unmelodious — they have nothing to be called a song. Be- 

 sides insects, they feed upon various hard fruits, such as nuts 

 and acorns — whence, it is said, is derived the curious name 

 " nuthatch ", equivalent to " nut-pecker ", and perhaps altered 

 from "nut-hacker". The nidification resembles that of the 

 typical Titmice ; they nest in holes- of trees, and lay numerous 

 white, speckled eggs. The coloration is not bright. The sexes 

 are similar, or nearly so; and the young, in the first full plum- 

 age, closely resemble the adults. 



The genus Sitta, to which, as the leading representative of 

 the family, the foregoing remarks apply more particularly, now 

 comprises about fourteen species of Europe, Asia and North 

 America. Australia has its peculiar genus Sittella; another, 

 Acanthisitta, is confined to New Zealand; while a disputed 

 Madagascan form, Hypherpes, is by some referred to this family. 

 No South American representatives are known. The family 

 is a rather small, as well as a somewhat isolated, group, com- 

 prising in all only some. thirty species. 



Genus SITTA Linnaeus 



Chaes. as above. Of the five North American spefies or 

 varieties three occur in the Colorado Basin. 



