NUTHATCH 
73 
beneath, while a black streak runs from the base 
of the beak, past the eye, to the back of the neck ; 
it may often be seen actively running about the 
trunk or boughs of a tree in search of insects, 
while it has gained its name from its characteristic 
habit of fixing a hazelnut in the crevices of the 
bark of an oak or other rough-skinned tree, and 
hammering it to pieces with its bill to get at the 
kernel. The sound of this operation may be heard 
at a considerable distance ; a similar noise, however, 
may be often traced to the Great Tit, which will 
hammer to pieces hard seeds and small kernels on 
a bough in something the same way. There is 
another loud mallet-like noise to be heard in the 
woods, and that is the remarkable drumming sound 
produced on a dead bough by the Great Spotted 
Woodpecker in spring; but this is much more 
rapid and continuous, as well as louder, and so is 
easily distinguishable. Like the Woodpecker's, 
which it resembles in shape, the Nuthatch's flight 
is direct but dipping ; its general habits are very 
much like those of a Woodpecker, though it has 
also a strong dash of the Tit, and it does not 
use its tail to prop itself up when hacking with 
its bill, as the Woodpeckers do, being not quite so 
completely and perfectly adapted for a tree-climb- 
ing and hammering life. Its most conspicuous 
note at all seasons of the year is a ringing metallic 
