The Nuthatch. 405 



feathers, is white, and the other, at the joint of the bastard 

 wing, black. The tail is composed of twelve feathers ; the 

 two in the centre are bluish grey, like those on the back ; 

 the remainder are dullish black ; two, and sometimes three, of 

 the outermost feathers, are spotted or marked with white 

 near the ends, and tipped with bluish grey. The legs and 

 feet are willow colour ; the feet are strong, and formed for 

 climbing ; there are three toes in front, and one behind ; the 

 middle and exterior toes are united at their bases ; the hind 

 toe is long and powerful, with an extra strong claw, much 

 bent, which enables the bird to take a firm grip. 



Habits and BREEDiNa. — The Nuthatch, Nutcracker, or Nut- 

 jobber, as it is variously termed, is indigenous to England, 

 and confined principally to the Southern, Western, and Mid- 

 land counties. It frequents woods, chiefly selecting those 

 where oak, elm, beech, chestnut, pine, or fir trees abound. 

 It likewise frequents private parks and pleasure grounds, in 

 sequestered situations. It invariably selects places which afford 

 the greatest shelter from wind and rain. 



The Nuthatch builds in holes in trees, and makes its nest 

 with moss and leaves, mixed together. The hen lays from 

 four to eight eggs (mostly from five to seven), of a dusky 

 white colour, spotted and marked with reddish brown, and 

 incubates about fourteen days. If the hole chosen has a larger 

 aperture or entrance than is needed, the birds build up part of 

 it with fine clay, leaving no more room than is absolutely 

 necessary for ingress and egress, this precaution being evidently 

 taken in order to protect themselves and their offspring from 

 the attacks of other birds who make use of similar places, and 

 from predatory animals. The female is most assiduous in the 

 performance of her duties, and nothing, as a rule, can induce 

 her to leave the eggs during the period of nidification. During 

 this time the male is most attentive and industrious in supplying 

 the partner of his joys with food, and both parents pay marked 

 attention to the wants of their progeny. They generally have 

 two broods in the year. 



The call notes of these birds have a strong resemblance 

 to the words Whyte, whyte," and Geu." Nuthatches are 

 very indifferent flyers ; owing to their short wings they never 

 fly far, the flight is much laboured, and onward progress is 

 evidently difficult to accomplish. 



