64 LAND-BIRDS. 



To tlie above extract I have only to add that it should be 

 remembered that Wilson wrote this account in Pennsylvania, 

 in the first years of this century, and that further knowledge 

 of this bird's habits may be obtained by studying those of the 

 Red-bellied Nuthatch, who leads a very similar life. 



d. The note of the White-bellied Nuthatch is monotonous, 

 unmusical, and yet striking ; it differs from that of the next 

 species in usually being pitched on a somewhat lower key. 

 There is also another note, properly distinct, which is rather 

 more subdued, though shriller. This scarcely differs in tone 

 from the ordinary cry of the Red-bellied Nuthatch. Both 

 sounds are sure to attract the attention of a naturalist who 

 may hear them for the first time, and to remain fixed in his 

 memory. 



B. CANADENSIS. Red-helUed Nuthatch. In eastern Mas- 

 sachusetts, common in October, and less so in winter and 

 spring.* 



a. 4J-5 inches long. Above, bright ashy or leaden blue. 

 Outer tail-feathers, black, white-spotted. Beneath, (pale) rusty- 

 colored, except on the chin, which is white. In $ , crown and 

 broad stripe through the eye, black. Intermediate space (and 

 forehead), white. In 5 , no black cap, and eye-stripe dusky. 



h. The eggs are exactly like those of the Chickadee (§ 4, 

 I, ^) ; and moreover the nest is in many respects like the 

 nest of that bird, though sometimes placed in a horizontal 

 limb of a decayed tree, a situation in which I have never 

 found the home of a Titmouse. In northern New England 



* The breeding range of this species autumn, and do not return until late the 

 correspondsratherclosely to that of the following spring. Hence it happens 

 Golden-crested Kinglet, and may be that in eastern Massachusetts and to 

 roughly defined as embracing the entire the southward they are irregular visit- 

 spruce-forested regions of northern New ors, exceedingly abundant some years, 

 England, including, also, portions of nearly or quite absent during others. 

 Berkshire and Worcester counties, The bulk of the flight passes through 

 Massachusetts. Throughout this area the region about Boston in September 

 the Red-bellied Nuthatches frequently and October, but many birds are seen 

 remain during- the entire year, but when earlier than this, and a few usually 

 their favorite food — the seeds of the remain during the following winter, 

 spruce and balsam — is scarce or want- There is seldom if ever a well-marked 

 ing, they migrate southward in early return flight in spring. — W. B. 



