OMB APPROVAL

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC  20549

SCHEDULE 13G

(Rule 13d-102)

Information to be Included in Statements Filed Pursuant to §240.13d-1(b), (c) and (d) and Amendments Thereto Filed Pursuant to §240.13d-2.

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.   )*


NATIONAL HEALTH INVESTORS, INC.
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)

63633D104
(CUSIP Number)

October 31, 2007
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)



Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:



S   Rule 13d-1(b)


£   Rule 13d-1(c)


£   Rule 13d-1(d)









CUSIP No.   63633D104

1

Name of Reporting Persons*

National HealthCare Corporation

2

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group

(a)  £

(b)  £

3

SEC USE ONLY:

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization:

Delaware

NUMBER OF

5

Sole Voting Power

1,630,642

SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY

6

Shared Voting Power

-0-

EACH
REPORTING PERSON

7

Sole Dispositive Power

1,630,642

WITH

8

Shared Dispositive Power

-0-

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,630,642

10

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)  £

11

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 9

5.9%

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS):

CO








Item

1

(a)

Name of Issuer:   National Health Investors, Inc.

Item

1

(b)

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices:   750 South Church Street, Suite B, Murfreesboro, TN  37130  

Item

2

(a)

Name of Person Filing:   National HealthCare Corporation (“NHCC”)

Item

2

(b)

Address of Principal Business Office:   100 E. Vine Street, Suite 1400, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130

Item

2

(c)

Citizenship:  NHCC is a Delaware corporation.  

Item

2

(d)

Title of Class of Securities:  Common Stock

Item

2

(e)

CUSIP Number:  63633D104

Item

4

 

Ownership.

 

 

 

(a)

Amount beneficially owned:  1,630,642

 

 

 

(b)

Percent of class:  5.9%

 

 

 

(c)

Number of shares as to which the person has:

 

 

 

(i)

Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:  1,630,642

(ii)

Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:  -0-

(iii)

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  1,630,642

(iv)

Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:  -0-  

 

 

 

 


Item 10.

Certifications.  

By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.  


By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

SIGNATURE


After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated:  February 14, 2008

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:        /s/ John K. Lines

 

 

 

 

Title:     Sr. V.P. & General Counsel