Genus SITTA.
Gen. Char. B ill straight, cylindrical, slightly compressed ; subulated, acuminated. Tongue
short, horny, and armed at the point. Nostrils basal and rounded, partly hidden by reflected
bristles. Feet with three toes before and one behind, the outer toe being joined at
its base to the middle o n e ; hind toe o f the same length as, or longer than, the middle toe,
with a long and hooked claw. Tail of twelve feathers. Wings rather short; the first quill
very short, the third and fourth the longest.
COMMON NU THA T CH.
Sitta Europea, Linn.
La Sitelle torchepot.
As far as our recollection serves us, the continent of Europe is the only division of the globe to which this
species belongs; nevertheless, the members o f the genus Sitta, although limited in number, are widely dispersed,
but appear to be more particularly attached to the northern and higher latitudes, or to such
portions o f the tropical countries as from their elevation enjoy a cold or temperate climate. The present
species with Sitta rupestris (which in the Plate and descriptive letter-press has by an oversight been named
rufescem) are the only ones which inhabit Europe, while the mountain ranges of India afford us several
others, as do also the northern regions of America; nor should we omit the islands of the Indian Archipelago
and the continent of New Holland, which if they do not produce a Nuthatch precisely similar to
our own in form, at all events possess a group so closely allied to the true Nuthatches as to assure us that
their general economy is nearly identical.
The habits by which the species o f the genus Sitta are characterized are not a little singular, and in many
respects agree with those of the Woodpecker; they differ, however, in this remarkable circumstance, that the
Nuthatch is not only capable o f running up the trunk o f a tree with great agility and quickness, but of
descending also, head downwards, with equal facility, a manoeuvre which the Woodpecker is incapable of
performing. As the feathers of the tail are short and very soft, this instrument is of no use as an agent in
climbing; and in this respect the Nuthatch differs, not only from the Woodpeckers, but also from the
Creepers, to whom the tail is of main importance. The position with the head downwards appears to be
to the Nuthatch that which is most easy and natural. It not only assumes this attitude when alighting on
the trunk or limb of a tree, but hammers at the bark or splits a nut in a chink in the same position.
The sexes offer no distinguishable difference in the colouring of their plumage, which is also assumed by
the young o f the year. Insects, nuts, and various berries constitute their food. Their incubation is performed
in the holes of decaying trees.
The present beautiful bird is spread throughout the greater part of Europe, and is common in many of the
wooded districts. In our own island it is abundant in some localities, while in others it is seldom to be me
with. Woods and plantations are its favourite haunts, especially where aged oak and other forest-trees over
shadow the underwood. Active and alert, it is ever in motion, now flitting from tree to tree, now traversing
the bark in quest of food, or hammering at some decayed part in order to dislodge the insects which have
mined their way beneath. The strokes of its bill are smart and strong, and may be heard for a considerable
distance; it is thus that it shivers the hard covering of the hazel-nut, which it first fixes in some chink or fissure,
and works at it with the head downwards; apparently to increase the mechanical effect of the blow. In
the spriug the call-note of the Nuthatch is a clear shrill whistle; at other times the bird is silent. The nest
consists of a few dried leaves, which constitute a bed in the hole of a tree for the reception o f the eggs, which
are from five to seven in number, and of a greyish white spotted with reddish brown. The female is assiduous
in her task, and defends her nest with her bill and wings, hissing at the same time in token o f anger
and distress. In winter the Nuthatch often resorts to orchards and gardens in search o f food, but does not
migrate. The colouring is as follows:
The whole o f the upper surface of a fine blueish grey; the quills and base of the tail-feathers, except the
two middle ones, being black; the outer one on each side having a black spot near the tip ; a black band
passes from the bill through the eye; and down the sides of the neck, where it ends abruptly near the
shoulders; throat whitish; the under surface rufous^brown, becoming of a chestnut on the flanks; bill and
tarsi black; irides hazel.
We have figured a pair of these birds o f the natural size.