DALMATIAN NUTHATCH. 155 



of Chrysomela graminis and Trichodes antiquus. It is 

 usually so compactly made, that I was obliged to sepa- 

 rate one with a chisel. This nest had been used many 

 years. The bird is very lively, restless, and inquisitive. 

 The young are easily tamed, and become very confiding; 

 they may be fed upon bread crumbs, but in a cage 

 remain always on the ground, and will not perch. The 

 families remain long together, and the young are taught 

 by their parents all about catching insects." 



The following interesting account of the nidification 

 of this bird is translated from the Italian of the Marchese 

 Oratio Antinori, and is inserted in "Naumannia," for 

 1857, page 429:— 



"This pretty little bird enlivens with its cheerful 

 note the highest and most lonely part of the Anatolian 

 mountains, where it generally remains. Sometimes, 

 however, it comes down into the plains, where it is 

 especially seen on the rocks surrounding mountain tor- 

 rents, or on the walls of old buildings. It builds its 

 nest the last days of March, and the beginning of April; 

 and for this purpose it chooses a rock or ruined wall, 

 where among the projections it can be sheltered from 

 the rain. It is easy to observe with what caution this 

 bird makes choice of a locality, for before it finally 

 resolves to build its nest in a particular spot, it places 

 some of the materials, which consist of resinous sub- 

 stances mixed with feathers, hair, rootlets, thread, or 

 wool, in several different places. This is evidently done 

 to satisfy itself, not only that it may not be discernible 

 to others, but that it may be impervious to wet, and 

 sufficiently firm a foundation to last many years. Indeed 

 it would be quite impossible to move the nest of Sitta 

 Syriaca from the place to which it is fastened, nor could 

 it be distinguished from the parts to which it is attached, 



