The HAIRY-CHEEKED STAIR-BEAK (_Xenops genibarbis_), an inhabitant of the
Brazilian forests, is olive-brown on the upper parts of the body, greyish
brown beneath, and white on the breast; a yellowish white line passes over
the eyes, and there is a white patch behind the ear; the wings are striped
with two shades of brown; the centre tail-feathers are reddish brown, the
rest become deeper in shade towards the exterior; the outermost are almost
black, spotted with rust-red. The length of this species is about four
inches; the wing measures two inches, and the tail one inch and a half.
[Illustration: THE HAIRY-CHEEKED STAIR-BEAK (_Xenops genibarbis_).]
Numerous specimens of these birds were captured by Burmeister in the
vicinity of Neufreiburg, where they came even into his garden, and ran
gaily along the branches like Tree Creepers.
* * * * *
The NUTHATCHES (_Sitta_) are recognisable by their very compact body,
moderate beak and tail, long wings, and powerful feet. The strong, hard
beak is straight above, but bulges outwards below, and is very sharply
pointed at its extremity; the nostrils are round, situated beneath the
brow, and covered with short hairs. The tarsi are short and the toes
long, the inner and centre toes being only slightly connected, while the
exterior and centre toes are united as far as the first joint; the large
pointed nails are much hooked; the broad, blunt wing, in which the third
and fourth quills exceed the rest in length, is soft and flexible; the
short, broad tail is formed of twelve weak feathers, so pliable in texture
as to render that member quite useless for climbing. The sexes are almost
alike in colour, the plumage of both being usually of a blueish grey above
and brownish red beneath; the young closely resemble their parents.
Almost every part of the world, if we except Central and Southern Africa
and South America, affords a home to some members of this family; and
everywhere forests and woodland districts are their principal resort, but
they are also occasionally found in rocky localities. So extraordinary are
the climbing powers of these birds that they not only exhibit unrivalled
agility when disporting themselves in their favourite trees, but are
actually capable of descending a perpendicular wall or mass of rock; a
feat, we believe, never attempted by any other members of the feathered
creation. All the various groups remain throughout the entire year in
their native lands, and merely wander to a short distance from their
birthplace after the breeding season. Insects and seeds of various kinds
afford them means of subsistence. The nest is placed in a hole of a tree,
or a fissure in a rock or wall, the entrance being carefully covered with
clay or similar material. The eggs, from six to nine in number, have a
light shell, spotted with red.
[Illustration: THE COMMON NUTHATCH (_Sitta cæsia_).]