The white-breasted nuthatch is an amazing little bird that goes through life more upside-down than right-side up. It is a small and stocky little bird with a stubby tail and measures about five inches from bill to the tip of his tail. Weighing about 3/4 of an ounce, he has blue-gray feathers on his back, a white face and a black cap. As he hops around tree trunks, he can be heard saying, "Yank! Yank!", resembling the creaking sound that trees make when moving in the wind. The nuthatch loves to hop down tree trunks headfirst, while other tree-climbing birds do not even attempt such a feat. He feeds on insects including caterpillars, spiders and beetles and also likes acorns and hickory nuts on his menu. These insects are gleaned from the bark of trunks and limbs of old trees. The little nuthatch often wedges nuts in the ridges of the bark as he whacks them open with his strong bill. His nesting site is usually in a natural cavity of an old tree, and is 15-50 feet from the ground. The nest is a cup of twigs and grass, lined with feathers and fur, making it a soft place for newborn youngsters.

How marvelous has the God of creation given this little bird the instinct to wedge nuts and insects into the crevices of bark surrounding his nest. Then, as in the case of an ice storm or wet, clinging snow when his usual gleaning is hampered, there will be food near at hand. Most often, however, these hidden morsels are found and eaten by the house sparrows and squirrels in the neighborhood. How like the Christian who is feeding his soul daily "in the heavenlies" to be a provider of nourishment and blessing to others.

The nuthatch pair, which seems to mate for life, will only have one brood each year, contrary to many other birds which may have two or three families per year. The female nuthatch lays five to nine eggs in her nest, one egg each day until she is finished. During this crucial time, the female conserves her strength and does not forage for food. God has planned for this, too, by directing the male nuthatch to feed the female many times each day. This also is the time the male learns to be a good father because his mate plays the role of a nuthatch nestling and teaches him how he must feed the young ones once they have hatched. What a wonderful picture of how the Lord takes care of even the smallest detail in a believer's life. We also see here an example for the Christian husband to take the lead as the God-ordained head of his family in providing spiritual food for his spouse and young. One way to do this is to have daily Bible reading and prayer with them.

When the nestlings are old enough to leave the nest they are master climbers, yet cannot fly very well. They can be seen hitching all around tree trunks, beginning from the top and working downward. The nuthatch reminds us of the days of the apostle Paul when he and other believers were accused of turning "the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). When one lives in the heavenlies, feeding on God's Word, he appears from an earthly viewpoint to be upside down. But what matters to the devoted Christian is how he is seen in the eyes of His Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

—S.L.M.