688 MICHIGAN BUW LIFE. 



311. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis Lmw. (728) 



Synonyms: llcd-bellied Nuthatch, Canada Nutliatch, Sapsuckcr. — Sitta varia, Wils., 

 ISOS. — Sitta stulta, Vieill., 1819.- — Sitta canadensis of most other authors. 



Plate LXVIIL 



A smaller edition of its white-breasted relative, but usually known by 

 the light rusty-brown breast and belly and the sharp black stripe (slate 

 color in the female) across the side of the head, with a white stripe above it. 



Distribution. — North America at large, breeding from northern New 

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

 southward in the Alleghanies, Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevadas; 

 in winter, south to about the southern border of the United States. 



Nearly all observers agree that this species is decidedly less common in 

 Michigan than the White-bellied Nuthatch, the exceptions being those 

 located in the higher parts of the Lower Peninsula and in a part of the 

 Upper Peninsula. Like the preceding species, the Red-belly is found 

 throughout the year in all parts of the state, but in greatly reduced numbers 

 during the winter. A marked migration takes place, the birds passing 

 southward, sometimes in large numbers, during the latter part of August 

 and the first half of September, and a similar but less marked northward 

 migration occurs late in April or early in May. 



Everywhere in the northern part of the state the bird is a common 

 summer resident in suitable locahties, namely in evergreen (particularly 

 hemlock) forests or tamarack swamps, while in the southern half of the 

 Lower Peninsula the bird is entirely absent in summer, or at most occurs 

 only in scattered pairs in the most favored localities. 



According to Jason E. Nichols of Lansing the bird formerly nested in 

 this vicinity, but, although it is common now during autumn, winter and 

 spring, it has not been noted here in summer during the past seventeen 

 years. Mr. B. H. Swales states that it appears at Detroit usually in early 

 September, sometimes during the latter part of August, remaining until 

 November, and becomes abundant again in early March, remaining until 

 about the 10th of May. He also says that it is occasionally seen in winter. 

 Dr. Gibbs states that it is a species which "wanders about after its nesting 

 duties are over, and may be found from September to December, and again 

 from March 15 to May 1, in any part of the state, but in no case with 

 certainty." 



The fact that its numbers vary greatly in different years has been noted 

 by numerous observers, and the species appears to be one of the most vari- 

 able in numbers of any bird which we have. Occasionally it is really num- 

 erous for a short time in the fall, while in other years scarcely an individual 

 will be seen, and an entire winter may pass without a single one being 

 noted. On the other hand, a few linger all winter even at the far north. 

 Mr. F. H. Chapin reports it a common winter resident in Mackinac, Alger 

 and Luce counties, and Mr. Wilbur H. Grant recorded it at Houghton, 

 Mich., in November 1904, and again the last week of January, and on Feb- 

 ruary 26, 1905, at the same place. Dr. Gibbs found it only a migrant in 

 Kalamazoo and Ottawa counties, but a summer resident in Montcalm 

 and Wexfoi'd counties. The records from the lighthouses include no 

 spring specimens, but Red-bellied Nuthatches were killed on Spectacle 



