NUTHATCH. 
365 
of birds dressed in chaste and sober colours, and 
restricted to more temperate regions, the known 
species being found in Europe, North America, 
and Alpine India. The)'' are active climbers, 
and breed in the holes of trees. 
Sitta, Linn. — Generic characters. — Bill 
straight, somewhat rounded, entire, rather 
dilated at base ; wings rather long, first 
quill short, third and fourth largest and equal ; 
tail short, even ; feet strong, lateral toes 
very uneven, hallux strong and lengthened, 
claws hooked, that of the hallux broad and 
strong. 
Types. — -S. Europea , Canadensis, Eirnalayana. 
Note . — Plumage loose, soft. Europe, America, 
India chiefly in alpine districts. 
THE NUTHATCH. 
Sitta Europea, Linn. 
PLATE XXII. 
Sitta Europea, Linn Nuthatch of British authors. 
Within these few years, very considerable 
additions have been made to this genus. One 
species was only considered to exist in Europe, 
the others being confined to North America ; 
but true species have since been discovered in 
India, and two have been added to the European 
