5G8 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



insects, and are very active in the pursuit of them. Arriving 

 iu May, they settle clown immediately in the meadows, and do 

 not leave them till a hard white frost has come," 



Family CERTHIIDiE. 



Creepers. 



CBRTSIA, L. 



C. familiarie americana, Bonap. American Creeper.* Browu 



Creeper. 

 Bill slender, as long as head ; without notch or bristles ; claws 

 long and curved ; tail feathers stiff and pointed, almost wood- 

 pecker-like. Plumage dark brown, much barred and streaked ; 

 rump tawny. Length, 5| inches ; tail, 2| inches. 



" Resident. Although really numerous at all times, is appar- 

 ently more abundant from October to March than at other times. 

 They usually occupy a deserted woodpecker's nest to breed in. 

 Raise but one brood. Insectivorous. Inoffensive." 



Family PARIDiE. 



Titmice. 



SITTA, L. 



S. carolinensis, Lath. White-breasted [or White-bellied] Nuthatch. 

 [Sap-sucker.] 



Ashy blue above; white below; under tail coverts washed 

 with rusty browu ; crown and nape black, unstriped ; middle 

 tail feathers like back, others black, blotched with white ; female 

 with less or no black on head. Length, 5^ inches ; tail, 2 inches. 



" Resident. Common. Prefers large trees, but is always to 



* Tlie term American Creeper is now not strictly applicable. Ridgway distinguishes 

 a Mexican and two Western forms of this bird as races distinct from our Eastern 

 species. 



