SONG-EIRDS. Nuthatches 



Slimed, and I was convinced during tliat season that it ^\'a.s 

 a food suited to the needs of all our winter-birds, both seed 

 and insect eaters finding in it wliat they required. 



The Chickadee breaks tlie silence of many Avinter days 

 with his jovial notes, and fairly begs for companionship: — 



Chic-chicadeedeo ! saucy note 



Out of sound heart and merry throat, 



As if it said, " Good day, good sir ! 



Fine afternoon, old passenger ! 



Happy to meet you in these places. 



Where January brings few faces." — R. W. Emeuson, 



FAMILY PARIDiE: NUTHATCHES AND TITMICE. 



Sub-family Sitting: : Nuthatches. 

 White-breasted Nuthatch: Sitta caroUnensis. 



Plate VIII. Fius. 1-2. 



Length: 5.50-6 inclies. 



3Iale and Female : Body flat and compact. Above slate-blue. Top of 

 head and nape black. AVings slate, edged with brown. Outer 

 tail feathers brownish with white bars. Belly white, rusty 

 toward vent. Bill dark lead-colour, feet dark brown. Female 

 paler with colour boundaries less distinctly marked. 



Song : A call note, " Quank-quank-quank ! " 



Season : A common resident, roving about all winter. 



Breeds : Freely in all parts of range. 



Nest : In tree holes, whicli it excavates with great patience, and lines 

 with feathers, moss, etc., after the fashion of Titmice. 



Eggs: Often 10, white, speckled with red and lilac. 



Bange : Southern British Provinces and eastern United States to the 

 Rocky Mountains. 



This Nuthatch, who is onr most conspicuous bird-acrobat, 

 persistently walking head downward and performing various 

 tortuous feats while he searches for food, is a resident of 

 the eastern United States, only leaving the most northerly 

 parts of his range for a sliort time in winter. 



He appears to migrate in spring and return in autunni, 

 but in reality only retreats to the woodlands to breed, 

 emerging again wlien the food supply grows scant in the 

 autumn. 



73 



