BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 195 



Loggerhead of Brown, Sitta Jamaieensis, Linn.; and Sitta Canadensis 

 of Linn., Gmel., and Briss., are names that have been originally applied 

 to different individuals of the species we are now describing. 



This bird is particularly fond of the seeds of pine-trees. You may 

 traverse many thousand acres of oak, hickory and chestnut woods, dur- 

 ing winter, without meeting with a single individual ; but no sooner do 

 you enter among the pines than, if the air be still, you have only to 

 listen for a few moments, and their note will direct you where to find 

 them. They usually feed in pairs, climbing about in all directions, 

 generally accompanied by the former species, as well as by the Black- 

 capped Titmouse, Parus atricapillus, and the Crested Titmouse, Parus 

 bieolor, and not unfrequently by the small Spotted Woodpecker, Picus 

 puhescens ; the whole company proceeding regularly from tree to tree 

 through the woods, like a corps of pioneers ; while in a calm day the 

 rattling of their bills, and the rapid motions of their bodies, thrown 

 like so many tumblers and rope-dancers into numberless positions, toge- 

 ther with the peculiar chatter of each, are altogether very amusing ; 

 conveying the idea of hungry diligence, bustle and activity. Both these 

 little birds, from the great quantity of destructive insects and larvae 

 they destroy, both under the bark, and among the tender buds of our 

 fruit and forest trees, are entitled to, and truly deserving of, our esteem 

 and protection. 



Species HI. SITTA PUSILLA. 



BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 



[Plate XV. Fig. 2.] 



Sitta pusilla, Latu. Ind. Orn. 203. — Small Nuthatch, Catesby, Car. i., 22, upper 

 figure. — La Petite Sittelle d. tete brune, Buff, v., 474. — Briss. hi., 598. — Lath. 

 I., 651, C. 



This bird is chiefly an inhabitant of Virginia, and the southern 

 states, and seems particularly fond of pine-trees. I have never yet 

 discovered it either in Pennsylvania, or any of the regions north of this. 

 Its manners are very similar to those of the Red-bellied Nuthatch, 

 represented in Plate II. of this work ; but its notes are more shrill and 

 chirping. In the countries it inhabits it is a constant resident ; and in 

 winter associates with parties, of eight or ten, of its own species, who 

 hunt busily from tree to tree, keeping up a perpetual screeping. It is 

 a frequent companion of the Woodpecker figured beside it ; and you 

 rarely find the one in the woods without observing or hearing the other 



