The COMMON NUTHATCH (_Sitta cæsia_) is deep grey on the mantle, and
reddish yellow on the under side; a black stripe passes across the eyes to
the nape; the chin and throat are white, the sides and lower tail-covers
reddish brown, and the quills blackish grey, with light borders (those at
the exterior are white at the root); the centre tail-feathers are blueish
grey, the rest deep black, marked with blueish grey at the tip; those at
the exterior are also decorated with white spots. The eye is brown, the
beak light grey above and deep grey on its lower portion, and the foot
greyish yellow. This species is six inches long, and ten broad; the wing
measures three inches and a quarter, and the tail one inch and two-thirds.
The female is distinguished from her mate by her inferior size, the
comparative paleness of her under side, and the narrowness of the black
line across the eyes.
The _Sitta Europæa_ is a very similar species, also inhabiting Europe.
These birds are met with in all parts of our continent, from Jutland
to the most southern latitudes, and are usually to be seen in pairs
or small parties. Although they by no means avoid the society of man,
they principally frequent woods and forests, but leave these retreats
during the autumn, to wander for a time over the surrounding country.
Insects, spiders, seeds, and berries constitute the principal food of the
Nuthatches, and they also occasionally swallow gravel or small stones, in
order to assist digestion.
The eggs, from six to nine in number, are laid about May; these are white,
marked and spotted with deep red. The female alone broods, and the eggs
are hatched within a fortnight. Both parents assist in the labour of
instructing and tending the little family, and rear them principally upon
caterpillars. The young remain in the nest until fully fledged, and do not
begin life on their own account until after the moulting season.