129 
herself to be taken rather than quit her 
progeny or her eggs. If the barrier of 
plaster at the entrance of the hole is 
destroyed, when she has eggs, it is 
astonishing how speedily it is again 
constructed. 
The Nuthatch seldom migrates from 
one country to another, but constantly 
resides where it is bred, only that in 
winter it seeks warm aspects, approaches 
dwellings, and visits our orchards and 
our gardens. It is much more expert 
in climbing than the woodpecker; run- 
ning in all directions up and down a tree 
with the greatest facility. 
The English name is undoubtedly 
derived from their breaking nuts with 
their beak. "It is pleasing (says a cele- 
brated author) to see them bring a nut 
from their hoard, and place it firm in a 
chink, and then standing above it, with 
their heads downwards, strike it with all 
their force till they break it, when they 
scoop out the kernel. ,, This, with the 
common hazel nut is a work of some 
labour; but the filbert is broken with 
S 
