Genus SITT A. 
Gen. Cuan. Bill straight, cylindrical, slightly compressed ; subulated, acuminated. Tongue 
short, horny, and armed at the pomt. Nostrd/s basal and rounded, partly hidden by re- 
flected bristles. Feet with three toes before and one behind, the outer toe being joined at 
its base to the middle one ; hind toe of the same length as, or longer than, the middle toe, 
with a long and hooked claw. Tail of twelve feathers. Wongs rather short; the first quill 
very short, the third and fourth the longest. 
COMMON NUTHATCH. 
Sitta Europea, Lenn. 
La Sitelle torchepot. 
As far as our recollection serves us, the continent of Europe is the only division of the globe to which this 
species belongs ; nevertheless, the members of the genus S¢¢éa, although limited in number, are widely dis- 
‘persed, but appear to be more particularly attached to the northern and higher latitudes, or to such 
portions of the tropical countries as from their elevation enjoy a cold or temperate climate. The present 
species with Sita rupestris (which in the Plate and descriptive letter-press has by an oversight been named 
rufescens) ave the only ones which inhabit Europe, while the mountain ranges of India afford us several 
others, as do also the northern regions of America; nor should we omit the islands of the Indian Archi- 
pelago and the continent of New Holland, which if they do not produce a Nuthatch precisely similar to 
our own in form, at all events possess a group so closely allied to the true Nuthatches as to assure us that 
their general economy is nearly identical. 
The habits by which the species of the genus Sttta are characterized are not a little singular, and in many 
respects agree with those of the Woodpecker ; they differ, however, in this remarkable circumstance, that the 
Nuthatch is not only capable of running up the trunk of a tree with great agility and quickness, but of 
descending also, head downwards, with equal facility, a manceuvre which the Woodpecker is incapable of 
performing. As the feathers of the tail are short and very soft, this instrument is of no use as an agent in 
climbing; and in this respect the Nuthatch differs, not only from the Woodpeckers, but also from the 
Creepers, to whom the tail is of main importance. The position with the head downwards appears to be 
to the Nuthatch that which is most easy and natural. It not only assumes this attitude when alighting on 
the trunk or limb of a tree, but hammers at the bark or splits a nut in a chink in the same position. 
The sexes offer no distinguishable difference in the colouring of their plumage, which is also assumed by 
the young of the year. Insects, nuts, and various berries constitute their food. Their incubation is per- 
formed in the holes of decaying trees. 
The present beautiful bird is spread throughout the greater part of Europe, and is common in many of the 
wooded districts. In our own island it is abundant in some localities, while in others it is seldom to be me 
with. Woods and plantations are its favourite haunts, especially where aged oak and other forest-trees Rae 
shadow the underwood. Active and alert, it is ever in motion, now flitting from tree to tree, now traversing 
the bark in quest of food, or hammering at some decayed part in order to dislodge the insects which have 
mined their way beneath. The strokes of its bill are smart and strong, and may be heard for a considerable 
distance ; it is thus that it shivers the hard covering of the hazel-nut, which it first fixes in some chink or fis- 
sure, and works at it with the head downwards ; apparently to increase the mechanical effect of the blow. In 
the spring the call-note of the Nuthatch is a clear shrill whistle; at other times the bird is silent. The nest 
consists of a few dried leaves, which constitute a bed in the hole of a tree for the reception of the egos, which 
are from five to seven in number, and of a greyish white spotted with reddish brown. The female is assi- 
duous in her task, and defends her nest with her bill and wings, hissing at the same time in token of anger 
and distress. In winter the Nuthatch often resorts to orchards and gardens in search of food, but does not 
migrate. The colouring is as follows : 
The whole of the upper surface of a fine blueish grey; the quills and base of the tail-feathers, except the 
two middle ones, being black ; the outer one on each side having a black spot near the tip; a black band 
passes from the bill through the eye; and down the sides of the neck, where it ends abruptly near the 
shoulders; throat whitish; the under surface rufous brown, becoming of a chestnut on the flanks; bill and 
tarsi black ; irides hazel. 
We have figured a pair of these birds of the natural size. 
