BIRDS OF NELSON COUNTY. 11 



same places as the last, with which it often associates. 

 The last of them leave for the North about April 25th. 



Family PARID.a:: Titmice, &c. 

 Genus Lophophanes. 



14. *Lopbopbanes bicolor (Lim^.). Tufted Titmouse, "Tomtit." 



Also known as "Peter- peter," in imitation of one of its 

 notes. An abundant permanent resident. Never taken 

 its nest, and it is a standino; mystery why the nest of so 

 common a bird should be so difficult to find, as I have no 

 trouble in finding those of other hole-breeding species. 



Genus Parus. 



15. *PArus carolinensis Aud. Carolina Chicadee. 



An abundant permanent resident. Fond of the society of 

 the preceding. The Chicadee raises quite a large family 

 for such a small bird. I have several times counted seven 

 young "chicks" in a nest, and other observers have re- 

 corded as high as ten. It must keep the industrious lit- 

 tle birds always "a hustling" to provide for so many 

 gaping mouths, and they doubtless make it lively, if not 

 interesting, for the bugs and other creeping things. 



Family SITTID.a; : Nut-thatches. 

 Genus Sitta. 



16. * Sitta carolinensis GuEh. White-bellied Nut-thatch. 



A common permanent resident. This Nut-thatch is popu- 

 larly "lumped" with that imaginary group, the "Sap- 

 suckers;" i. e., the smaller woodpeckers, but I have yet 

 to see the man who ever saw this useful little bird pursu- 

 ing this nefarious practice. Their food is strictly insect- 

 iverous. 



