60 The Naturalist in Siluria. 



Another point of similarity to the woodpeckers, not in 

 habits, but in plumage, is the streak or list already alluded 

 to as running longitudinally from the base of the beak 

 over the cheeks and on towards the shoulders. This 

 moustache-like marking is a peculiar characteristic of all 

 the woodpecker family, and seems to have some myste- 

 rious connection with their mode of life. It is, at least, 

 strange that the Nuthatch, of such similar habits, should 

 also be thus similarly provided, the thing itself pointing 

 to an alliance between the two genera. The Sitta JEuropcea 

 is a true tree climber, or rather creeper, since its mode of 

 progression is that distinctive of the CerthiadoB. While 

 moving upon the trunk or along the larger branches, it 

 does not hop as the woodpeckers, but walks foot over foot, 

 in a quick, stealthy gait, its body flat against the bark. 

 Nor does it assist itself with the tail, of which the wood- 

 peckers make much use as a prop and support, often even 

 when they are upon the ground. Moreover, these seem 

 only able to go tip the tree, or around its trunk, while 

 the Nuthatch can " swarm " with equal facility either 

 upward or downward. What gives it this superior capa- 

 city will be apparent by an examination of its foot; the 

 hinder toe, or heel, being larger than any of the three 

 anterior ones, while all are furnished with large sickle- 

 shaped claws, sharp-pointed, and strongly prehensile. If 

 the top of a finger be inserted between them and rapidly 

 drawn forth again, they can be felt adhering to it as 

 though they were barbed. From this it may well be 

 supposed that the slightest inequality in the bark will be 

 caught and clutched, without danger of the bird slipping 

 off, whether head up or down. 



As already hinted at, the Nuthatch nests in a tree 

 cavity, in this respect also as the woodpeckers. And 



