N I T H A T C H .
SITTA EURQP.EA.
ACCORMNG to my own observations the range of the Nuthatch is by no mew
I have never been able to Identify a single specimen, with certainty, f'urthi
different localities in the southern part of that cuunty (large parks containing
WJOIIS) I have mot with a few pairs. Though stragglers have from
In the east of Norfolk, the nature of that side of the county is hardly
species appears in greater numbers to the west of Norwich. In til
Middlesex, I have seen the nest on two or three oeeasions
•ailed in the British Islands,
th than Torkslurc. In two
;cred timber as well as dense
no to time come under my notice,
tod to their requirements, and the
lourhood of Uarrow-on-tbe-nill, in
d the birds themselves are tolerably O
i that I have had the best
the cast of Kent ; hut the
,nd may be found in almost
lorth side of the Downs) in
j the autumn and winter. It is, however, in the woods of Kent and S
opportunities for studying the habits of the Nuthatch. I am not acquainted m
bird is common in the well-timbered portion of the county near the Sussex bord
every wood in the eastern division of the latter county ; it is also abundant (on I
the neighbourhood of Brighton.
To the best of my knowledge, this species is a resident, and seldom strays far from the district it inhabits.
I have met with no evidence of its crossing the North Sea; neither have I observed it on the English Channel
or in the immediate vicinity of the coast.
The Nuthatch is usually uol iced solitary or in pairs. On two
in the season, I have remarked as many as half a dozen, or even m
if disturbed by the advance of the beaters. They are, howc
• food i
head dopecker
ti
the stem
from which habit I conclude
procures from the cracks and
one rise from the gruuud (usually
their actions while in that position.
For breeding-purposes this speci
three occasions, when cover-shooting late
, showing themselves in rapid succession,
» means shy, and usually afford abundant
Their actions while searching the trunks
, if carefully observed through powerful glasses. Unlike the Woodkc
uso of its tail as a support while climbing; it will also descend
iwards as readily as it ascends. Though feeding occasionally on nuts,
s derived, the bird mainly supports itself on insects and larva-, which it
u the rough bark of the trees it frequents. I have now and then seen
open space in a cover); but I never had an opportunity of watching
i most commonly to boles trees, the entrance to its nursery,
if not according to" its taste, being plastered up with mud. In some instances this substance is made use of iu
large quantities.