WESTERN BIRDS Nuthatch 



repeated in an incoherent strain of wild excitement, by 

 Dawson. 



The Red-breasted seldom visits the orchards, pre- 

 ferring the woods to the haunts of man. It is fond of the 

 seeds of pine cones and is often seen near the ends of the 

 branches. It also is an adept at walking beneath the 

 limbs, which mode of procedure it practices rather more 

 than its larger relatives. 



The habit of smearing pitch pine just below the nest 

 opening (Dawson) would seem to indicate some reason- 

 ing on the bird's part, since this is probably resorted to 

 by them to protect themselves from the inroads of ants 

 and insects which have proved pests to so many birds at 

 nesting time. 



The winter of 1919-20 these interesting little birds 

 came down into the valleys of southern California and 

 were seen by many people. At different times they were 

 in my own yard, and neighborhood. We hope that their 

 visits were so satisfactory that they will come another 

 winter. 



GENUS SITTA: PIGMY NUTHATCH. 



Pigmy Nuthatch: Sitta pygmcea. Vig. 

 FAMILY— NUTHATCHES. 



The Pigmy, or California Nuthatch, scarcely four 

 inches long, is the dearest little fellow imaginable. He 

 differs from the others of the species in his brownish 

 crown and white nape. 



The birds are gregarious little midgets and after the 

 nesting season forage in large flocks in the pines of the 

 high altitudes, sometimes roving down into the valleys in 

 the cold weather. As they move from tree to tree, in- 

 vading every part of it, there seem to be legions of them, 



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