The Nuthatches associate familiarly with the Kinglets and Titmice, and often travel with them. Though regarded as shy birds they are not really so. Their habits of restlessness render them difficult of examination. "Tree-mice" is the local name given them by the farmers, and would be very appropriate could they sometimes remain as motionless as that diminutive animal. Careful observation has disclosed that the Nuthatches do not suck the sap from trees, but that they knock off bits of decayed or loose bark with the beak to obtain the grubs or larvae beneath. They are beneficial to vegetation. Ignorance is responsible for the misapplied names given to many of our well disposed and useful birds, and it would be well if teachers were to discourage the use of inappropriate names and familiarize the children with those recognized by the best authorities. Referring to the Nuthatches Mr. Baskett says: "They are little bluish gray birds, with white undervests--sometimes a little soiled. Their tails are ridiculously short, and never touch the tree; neither does the body, unless they are suddenly affrighted, when they crouch and look, with their beaks extended, much like a knot with a broken twig on it. I have sometimes put the bird into this attitude by clapping my hands loudly near the window. It is an impulse that seems to come to the bird before flight, especially if the head should be downward. His arrival is sudden, and seems often to be distinguished by turning a somersault before alighting, head downward, on the tree trunk, as if he had changed his mind so suddenly about alighting that it unbalanced him. "I once saw two Nuthatches at what I then supposed was a new habit. One spring day some gnats were engaged in their little crazy love waltzes in the air, forming small whirling clouds, and the birds left off bark-probing and began capturing insects on the wing. They were awkward about it with their short wings, and had to alight frequently to rest. I went out to them, and so absorbed were they that they allowed me to approach within a yard of a limb that they came to rest upon, where they would sit and pant till they caught their breath, when they went at it again. They seemed fairly to revel in a new diet and a new exercise." SUMMARY Page 83. #YELLOW WARBLER.#--_Dendroica æstiva._ Other names: "Summer Yellow-bird," "Wild Canary," "Yellow-poll Warbler." RANGE--The whole of North America; breeding throughout its range. In winter, the whole of middle America and northern South America. NEST--Built in an apple tree, cup-shaped, neat and compact, composed of plant fibres, bark, etc. EGGS--Four or five; greenish-white, spotted. * * * * * Page 88. #HERMIT THRUSH.#--_Turdus aonalaschkæ pallasii._ Other names: "Swamp Angel," "Ground Swamp Robin." RANGE--Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward; wintering from about latitude 40° to the Gulf coast.