it is very eoniiiioii, and a constant resident, but is nowhere more abundant than so near London as Kensinjo;ton 
Gardens and Richmond Park. 
Many substances are used for the lining of the cavity in which its spotted eggs are deposited — leaves 
of the oak and beech, strips of hark, &c. ; and so partial is it to the hark of the cedar for this purpose, that 
Mr. Alfred Newton informs me the bird will travel a long way to obtain it. On this part of the bird’s 
economy, the following interesting note has been communicated to me by Mr. J. Illsey : — 
“ Being in want of the eggs of the Nuthatch, I proceeded to examine a hole in an oak tree, much 
frequented during the breeding-season by a pair of these birds ; and after half an hour’s hard chiselling, came 
to the nest. It was entirely formed of thin layers or laminse of the inner bark of the pine and similar trees ; 
of this material there were several good handfuls deposited at the bottom of the hole, and in the centre 
of the heap were five eggs of a dull cream-colour, spotted and blotched with red. Whether the bird is in 
the constant habit of employing this material, or not, I cannot say ; but I am inclined to believe that it is. 
Considering its size, this is certainly one of the most active and vigorous of our birds, and one of the most 
inoffensive ; it subsists principally upon insect food, but during the winter also feeds upon the kernels and 
seeds of the yew, hazel. See., for the former of which it appears to have a preference, as perforated yew- 
stones may always be found in abundance in the cracks and fissures of the trees around its haunts. Many 
a time have I watched it hammering away at a kernel within a few feet of my head, without its evincing the 
least distrust, or seeming to be for a moment disturbed by my presence. In some districts it is not numerous ; 
but it is generally to be met with in the neighbourhood of yew-plantations of any extent.” 
The Nuthatch may be readily ke])t in captivity, when, from its liveliness, cunning, and drollery, it becomes 
a most amusing pet ; but it must be kept in a cage composed entirely of Avire, as any part formed of wood would 
be speedily destroyed. It may be fed on hemp-seed, oats, barley, and nuts, all of which it readily splits 
Avith its bill. Bechstein mentions the following instance of its familiarity ; — “ A lady amused herself in 
winter Avith throwing seeds on the terrace beloAv her AvindoAv, to feed the birds in the neighbourhood. She 
put some hemp-seed and cracked nuts even on the window-sill and on a board, particularly for her favourites 
the Blue Tits. Tavo Nuthatches came one day to have their share in this repast, and AA^ere so well pleased 
that they became quite familiar, and did not CA^en go away in the following s[)ring to get their natural food 
and to build their nest in the Avood. They settled themselves in the hollow of an old tree near the house. 
As soon as the tAvo young ones, Avhich they reared here, Avere able to fly, they brought them to the hospitable 
window, Avhere they Avere to be nourished, and soon after disappeared entirely. It Avas amusing to see these 
two visitors hang or climb on the walls or blinds, while their benefactress put their food on the board. 
These pretty creatures, as well as the Tits, knew her so well that, Avhen she drove aAA^ay the Sparrows Avhich 
came to steal what was not intended for them, they did not fly away also, but seemed to know that what 
Avas done Avas only to protect and defend them. They remained near the house for the Avhole summer, 
rarely wandering, till one fatal day at the beginning of the sporting-season, when, on hearing the report of 
a gun, they disappeared, and Avere never seen again.” 
The sexes are alike in colouring, and differ but little in size; and the young assume the livery of the adult 
from the time they are able to fly. The eggs, Avhich are from five to seven in number, are subject to con- 
siderable variety in form and colouring ; but are usually of a stone-Avhlte, spotted and blotched Avith red and 
grey, rather larger, but otherAvise very similar to those of the Great Tit {Parus major'). 
The following is the description of a very fine specimen sent to me by Mr. Cuthbert Larking, on the 
24th of September 1856 : — 
“ All the upper surface clear grey ; a black mark, commencing at the nostrils, passes through the eye, 
skirts the upper part of the ear-coverts, and curls down the side of the neck ; betAveen the clear grey of 
the crown and the black streak is a faint line of greyish AA^ite, which extends all round the front of the 
forehead ; throat, cheeks, and lower part of the ear-coA^erts Avhite, the latter slightly tinged Avith buff ; under 
surface of the body clear buff ; flanks rich chestnut ; under tail-coverts AAhite, each feather broadly edged 
Avith rich chestnut ; tAvo middle tail-feathers clear grey, the remainder black, the three next on each side 
tipped Avith grey, and the outer one Avith a square spot of Avhite near the tip of the inner AA^eb, and beloAv it 
a longer mark of the same hue ; a conspicuous spot of black on the axillae ; upper mandible olwe-black ; 
under mandible clear Avhitish grey, blending into olive-black toAvards the tip ; Irides nearly black, surrounded 
by a narrow, bare, dull blue-grey lash; tarsi dull yellowish broAAUi; the joints and pads inclining to sulphur- 
yellow.” 
The figures are of the natural size. 
