S I T T A C Æ S IA , Welf it Meyer
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S IT TA CÆSIA, W o lf et Meyer
Nuthatch.
Sitta cæsia, Wolf et Meyer, Tasch. Deutsch. Vög., tom. i. p. 128.
— Europaa, ftuct., nec Linn.
aßnis, Blyth, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beug., vol. Xv. p. 288.
O r n i t h o l o g i s t s are at variance as to the correct scientific appellation o f our Nuthatch, and whether the
S itta Ewroptea of, Linnieus and our bird, which has been called cmia, arc one and the same species or
only varieties o f each other, doe to climatic influences. Had Linnieus ever seen our bird, he would
doubtless have noticed the difference of its colouring from the Nuthatch inhabiting Sweden and Norway,
and he might, o r he might not, have considered them as mere local varieties; but had he been aware that
the Swedish hird (his S . Eumpied) was fonnd in Zealand, but not in Jutland, and that the English bird
S. cmia, was an inhabitant o f the latter country, as stated to me by Professor Steenstrup, o f Copenhagen, he
would probably have described them as distin ct; and as pur bird is found very generally over the Continent,
except its northern portion,.let me do so in the present work, but, a t the same time, admit that, except in
colour, I can scarcely perceive any difference between them ; the wash of chestnut-red on the under surface,
however, is constantly fonnd in every British specimen, as well as in those o f France and Central Europe,
while the same part is white in examples from Norway, Sweden, and other northern countries. The mode
o f progression of the Nuthatch is no less singular than the trees it frequents are varied. I t runs obliquely
over the main stems, commencing its roundabout travels a t the largest part, and finishing with the smaller
unlike the Woodpecker, Creeper, and Wryneck, it passes over the bark with its
■*' 1,1 ““ opposite direction, never making use of its tail as a support. In this
inverted position it may be seen prying for spiders and insects, or searching for a suitable chink wherein
to place the nut or cherry-stone, which it has either fonnd on the ground o r gathered during its restless
movements—movements so peculiar that every one is interested when he first sees a Nuthatch, or has bis
attention attracted by its loud ringing notes. Like the Woodpecker and the Wryneck, it selects the hole of
a tree for the purpose o f mdificalioii, but, unlike them, lays spotted instead o f white eggs, and makes a nest
o f leaves o r shreds of bark. It frequently selects a much larger hole than is necessary, and plasters up the
entrance with a thick and solid wall of mnd, like the Hombills of India and Africa, leaving only ju st sufficient
room for egress and regress.
My readers will readily imagine that this bird is a very curions and amusing denizen o f our woods and gardens,
and would fain, I should hope, be desirous o f making a closer acquaintance with it. To effect this, the best
way will be to acquire a knowledge o f its oft-repeated, monotonous note, when, by looking attentively in the
direction whence it proceeds, they will soon perceive the bird passing over and round the boles and branches
in a series o f short jumps, o r performing a dipping flight from tree to tree, followed by another and another,
sometimes to the number o f six or eight, which incessantly call and restlessly follow each other from branch to
branch. There are times, however, when the bird is less noisy and less actively engaged among the branches:
the chances are that he is now on. the ground searching for a nut o r a cherry-stone, or he may perhaps pick up
a stray bean which the keeper has cast abroad for his Pheasants; in a few minutes more be will be
hammering away a t whatever he has found, in the chink o r interstice o f a branch, o r in a slit in a rail
o r gate-post, in which he has placed it, and at which he continues to peg away with all bis might until the
kernel is reached and eaten. Mr. Bond tells me that the Nuthatch often, and particularly during the month
of May, selects the top upright dead boughs o f trees, and from thence sallies forth to capture insects, after the
manner of the Flycatcher.
I do not know that I can add to the interest which attaches to this bird by stating what counties of England
it inhabits, but I may mention that Montagu was in error when he affirmed that it was not seen in Cornwall;
for I have the authority o f Mr. Rodd’s * List o f Cornish Birds ’ for stating that it is “ very common in tW
eastern woodlands ; ” and I have certain evidence that it occurs in the great woods a t Tregothnan, the sc•«
of Viscount Falmouth, since I have received two notes on the subject, one from his Lordship, and anothe*
from the Honourable Evelyn Boscawen. “ { write to inform you,” says Lord Falmouth, “ that the keeper
brought, me in a Nuthatch yesterday, which he had killed at Nancarrow Creek, near the eastern end of the
park.’ Mr. Boscawen says, “ This morning, when out in the garden, I saw a Nuthatch ; 1 afterwards heard
an o th er; and I believe the bird to be far from scarce in this neighbourhood.”
The Nuthatch is not found in Ireland o r Scotland, and Mr. Selby states that the Wear and (he Tvne are
the most northern points to which he has been able to trace i t : in all the midland r ht;»»»■* of tv •