NUTHATCH. 
367 
The curious mode by which the Nuthatch assists 
its own powerful means, by fixing the object to be 
wrought upon, has been detailed by most of our 
writers. The nut or stone is fixed into the chink 
or crack of a post or bark of a tree, and is there 
hammered at until split ; the same place being 
resorted to for a considerable time, as may be 
seen from the quantity of shells and splinters 
accumulated beneath ; and we think it more than 
probable that this instinctive knowledge may be 
given to many of the scansores which require 
assistance, and feed on nuts and kernels ; even 
among the Woodpeckers, which are more truly 
insectivorous, and if it is more limited what we 
have stated in our account of the Greater Spotted 
Woodpecker is a curious instance of alliance in 
the instincts of the two families. We have no 
record of the manners of the other European 
species, or of the Indian birds, in this part of 
their habits. 
The Nuthatch breeds in holes of trees, often in 
those prepared by the Woodpeckers, and where 
the hole is too large at the entrance it is patched 
or built up with clay. The nest, or rather the 
bottom of the hole, is filled with dried leaves, 
moss, &c. ; and during incubation the eggs are 
defended from any aggressor by strokes of the 
bill, and a violent hissing. 
The upper parts, and two centre tail feathers, 
are of a clear and delicate blackish grey ; from 
the eye to the bill, through the auricular feathers, 
and running up on the sides of the neck, there is 
