BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH 



15 



between the scales of pine bark, to be eaten at 

 his leisure. The nest is made of grasses and 

 lined softly with feathers, generally placed near 

 the ground in a hole in a tree or stump. With 

 the coming of spring, even so early as the first 

 warm days of March, five or six pretty spotted 

 eggs are laid. 



All these Nut- 

 hatches are surpris- 

 ing cortortionists. 

 Owing to his fear- 

 lessness and to the 

 conspicuous clearness 

 of his markings, the 

 White - breasted 

 is easiest to observe. 

 You may see him 

 during the winter in 

 the suburbs of south- 

 ern towns, and no bird's movements are more 

 interesting to watch than his reversals, Sittings, 

 and gyrations. His compact little body seems to 

 be fitted with some kind of universal joint which 

 enables him to take positions which would be 

 impossible to any other bird. He is not sociably 

 inclined; but if you will follow his softly nasal 

 cry of "yank-yank, yank, yank," through the 

 woods you will often find Chickadees or a Tit- 

 mouse with him, apparently following him too. 



BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH 



Length 4^4 inches 



