44 



Though the Nuthatch does not possess the gift of song, still he is 

 well and favorably known to most persons who live in the country — 

 whose lines have fallen in pleasant places. He is found wherever 

 there are forests, and comes into our orchards and about our dwell- 

 ings. Moving steadily in any direction upon the tree-trunks and 

 branches, he searches the interstices of the bark, tapping hard upon 

 suspected spots with his bill. At frequent intervals he utters his 

 peculiar cry, a sort of nasal honk honk. When moving downward, he 

 always advances head first, and never in the opposite position, as the 

 Woodpeckers do. Sometimes his diet is slightly varied. He never 

 refuses raw meat; and when in Lewis County, N. Y., during the latter 

 part of December, 1877, I found him eating the beech-nuts, in com- 

 pany with the Red-headed Woodpeckers, and with evident enjoyment. 

 The stomachs of the specimens shot were found distended by those 

 nuts. 



Sometimes, during storms, in winter, the trees become so thickly 

 coated with ice, that the Woodpeckers and creeping birds, since na- 

 ture has neglected to supply them with adjustable ice-spurs suitable 

 for such emergencies, are unable to climb upon the icy trees, and, 

 consequently, are obliged to desist from their usual avocations, and 

 betake themselves to other situations in quest of food. On such occa- 

 sions the Nuthatches seem to be particularly distressed, flying about 

 uttering loud cries, and alighting freely upon the roofs of buildings. 

 Both this species and the Red-bellied Nuthatch have a loud, coarse 

 rattle as the mating season approaches^ which is seldom heard at 

 other times. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of eight specimens : length, 

 6-07; stretch, 11-03; wing, 3-48; tail, 1-92; culmen, -76; gape, -90; 

 tarsus, -70. 



13. Sitta canadensis, Linne. Red-bellied Nuthatch. The 

 movements of this species are extremely uncertain; but it may be set 

 down as an irregular winter resident, and an occasional visitant at 

 other seasons, except during the period of its nidification. Generally 

 abundant during its autumnal migration. At times it is gregarious ; 

 and this is especially the case in the fall. 



Late in summer the Red-bellied Nuthatches arrive in large flocks, 

 some seasons, while in others they are not seen at all, or only occa- 

 sional individuals. These migrating flocks appear late in August, and 

 a few are sometimes observed by the first of that mouth. They 

 remain with us for a period varying from a few days to several weeks. 

 In 1874, they were very numerous from August 25 to September 23. 

 They search the tree trunks for their insect prey, in large, straggling 

 bands, uttering a note somewhat resembling the cry of the other 

 species {S. carolinensis) ; but it is pitched much higher, and varied 



