290 THE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 



Being non-migratory (with the irregular exception of S. canadensis) 

 Nuthatclies are called upon to endure the rigors of a northern climate witli its 

 occasional drop to thirty helow : hut this does not give them or their fellows 

 great concern, because of the unfailing character of their food su])pl\'. Beside 

 that, please remember that feathers and fat afford the warmest protection 

 known. 



No. 112. 



RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 



A, O. U. No. y28. Sitta canadensis Linn. 



Synonyms. — Red-belliEd Nuth.\Tch. Canadi.\n NuTh.vTch. 



Description. — Adult male: Crown and nape shining black; white sup- 

 erciliary lines meeting on extreme forehead; a black band thru eye; remaining 

 upperparts grayish blue ; wings fuscous, unmarked ; tail feathers, except upper 

 pair, black ; the outer pairs subterminally blotched with white in retreating order ; 

 chin, and sides of head, and neck below the black, pure white; remaining under- 

 parts rusty or ochraceous brown : bill short, subulate, plumbeous-black ; feet dark 

 brown. Adult female: Similar, but crown like the back, with only traces of black 

 beneath; lateral head-stripe blackish: usually paler rusty below. Immature: 

 Like adult female. Length, 4.25-4.75 (108-120.6); average of seven specimens.' 

 wings 2/>i (C>(^>.T,) ; tail 1.43 (36.3) ; bill .50 (12.7). 



Recognition Marks. — Pygmy size; black and grayish blue above; rustv 

 below ; tree-creeping habits. 



Nesting. — Nest: of grasses, feathers, etc., in a hole of tree or stub, excavated 

 by the bird, usually at lower levels. Egcjs: 4-6, white or creamy white, speckled 

 with reddi.sh brown and lavender, .\verage size, .63 x .4S (16x12.2). Season: 

 first week in May ; one brood. 



General Range. — North America at large, breeding from northern New 

 England, northern New York, and northern Michigan northward, and southward 

 in the .Mleghanies, Rocky IMountains, and Sierra Nevada ; in winter south to 

 about the southern border of the United States. 



Range in Washington. — Common resident and migrant in timbered sections 

 thruout the State, more numerous in the mountains; winter residents are, possibly, 

 Alaskan birds. 



Authorities. — ? ( )rnithological Committee, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. \'II. 

 1837, 193 (Columl)ia River). Cooper and Suckley, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. XTI. 

 pt. n. i860, 192. T. C&S. Rh. D'. Sr. Ra. D-\ Kk. J. B. E. 



Specimens.— U. of W. P". Prov. B. 



THERE is nothing big about the Red-breasted Nuthatch save his voice. 

 If undisturbed, birdikins pursues the even tenor of his ways, like any other 

 winged bug-lnmter : but once provoke his curiosity or arouse suspicion. 



