68 
BULLETIN OF THE NUTT ALL 
1.25 to 1.60 inches. So small, indeed, was this entrance in propor- 
tion to the size of the bird, that in many cases they were obliged 
to struggle violently for several seconds in either going out or in. 
The nests in most instances were very easily discovered, as the bird 
was almost always in the immediate vicinity, and if the tree was 
approached would fly to the hole and utter a few low calls, which 
would bring out its sitting mate, when both would pass to and from 
the spot, emitting notes of anxiety and alarm. The bird not em- 
ployed in incubation has also a peculiar habit of clinging to the 
trunk just below the hole, in a perfectly motionless and strikingly 
pensive attitude, apparently looking in, though from the conforma- 
tion of the interior it would be impossible for it to see its mate or 
eggs. In this position it will remain without moving for many 
minutes at a time. The amount of solicitude evinced varies con- 
siderably with different individuals, some pairs showing the most 
active concern, and keeping up their cries continually, while others 
take matters more coolly, removing to the nearest tree and watch- 
ing in total silence the demolition of their home. In nearly every 
instance, however, when the sitting bird is first disturbed, it utters 
a cry which almost immediately brings up its mate. Watching 
once a nest for an hour or two, I remarked that the birds relieved 
each other in the labors of incubation at intervals averaging about 
half an hour each. The one that had been absent would alight just 
below the hole, and, uttering a low yew-ich, yew-ich, its mate would 
appear from within, when, after the interchange of a few notes of 
endearment, the sitting bird would fly off and the other instantly 
enter the hole. 
One very singular fact which I have noticed is that in nearly 
every tree are several newly finished cavities. In one case four 
were cut open which had evidently been freshly made, all of which 
were as neatly and completely excavated as the one that contained 
the eggs. In addition to these there are often numerous others, 
which by the dark color of the wood within are shown to have 
been made in previous years. In one tree no less than fifteen 
holes were counted, all of which were dug down to the usual 
depth. Yet in no case have I found more than one inhabited, or 
noticed in the vicinity any birds other than the pair to which the 
eggs belonged. These holes for the most part enter the tree on 
the same side, one above the other, but in some cases the whole 
trunk is perforated on all sides and at irregular intervals. Possibly 
