192 
HABITS OF THE NUTHATCH. 
inhabited by the grub of the nut weevil. It will also feed upon the seeds of different plants, 
especially preferring those which it pecks out of the fir-cones. Beech mast also seems grateful 
to its palate, and it will occasionally take to eating fruit. 
In 01 dei to extiact the kernel of the nut, the bird fixes the fruit securely in some con- 
venient crevice, and, by dint of repeated hammerings with its beak, breaks a large ragged hole 
in the shell, through which the kernel is readily extracted. The blows are not merely given 
by the stroke of the beak, but the bird grasps firmly with its strong claws, and swinging its 
whole body upon its feet, delivers its stroke with the full weight and sway of the body. 
The beak, by means of which this feat is accomplished, is remarkably strong and power- 
ful, and can be used with a vigor and endurance that is quite astonishing. Many instances of 
its powers have been 
narrated, among which 
we may mention that 
one of these birds 
which had been cap- 
tured in a common 
brick trap, and had 
remained in its dark 
cell for some hours, 
was found when re- 
leased to have been 
deprived of one-third 
of its beak, which had 
evidently been ground 
away by the continual 
pecking which had 
been kept up at the 
bricks. The person 
who caught the bird 
and who narrated the 
tale is the Reverend 
Mr. Bree. Another of 
these birds that had 
been put into a cage, 
immediately began to 
hammer at the wooden supports of its prison, and although severely wounded in the wing, 
refused to cease from its exertions except to eat and drink, both of which operations it 
performed with the greatest coolness. For two days the poor bird continued to peck unceas- 
ingly at his cage, and at the close of the second day, sank under its extraordinary exertions. 
The Nuthatch is a capital climber of tree-trunks, even surpassing the creeper in the agility 
with which it ascends and descends the perpendicular surface, clinging firmly with its strong 
claws, and running equally well whether its head be upwards or downwards. Even the creeper 
does not attempt to run down a tree with its head towards the ground. It is a very hardy 
bird, continuing to pick up an abundant supply of food even in the depths of winter, always 
appearing plump and lively. 
The nest of the Nuthatch is placed in the hollow of a decaying tree, and the bird always 
chooses some hole to which there is but a small entrance. Should the orifice be too large to 
please its taste, it ingeniously builds up the orifice with clay and mud, probably to prevent 
the intrusion of any other bird. If any foe should venture too near the nest, the mother bird 
becomes exceedingly valiant, and dashing boldly at her enemy, bites and pecks so vigorously 
with her powerful beak, hissing and scolding the while, that she mostly succeeds in driving 
away the assailant. The nest is a very inartificial structure, made chiefly of dried leaves laid 
loosely upon the decaying wood, and rudely scraped into the form of a nest. 
In its color the Nuthatch is rather a pretty bird, of pleasing though not of brilliantly 
NUTHATCH.- Sitla ccesia. 
