58 NESTS AND EGGS OF BIRDS. 



that high ground where the cactus and a thorny, leafless bush, the junco, 

 abound, and where are scattered at intervals clumps of trees of respectable 

 growth, among which is the dark green ebony- The birds, though oc- 

 casionally seen, are by no means abundant. 



The e^^g.s arc laid early in the season, — b\- the middle of 

 March ill some localities, as might be anticipated from the 

 warmth of the climate ; but undoubtedly two. or perhaps even 

 more. l)roods are reared, since L ha\'e a note of fresh eggs ta- 

 ke!) in iVrizona, June 16. Foiir to six constitute a suit.'. 'i'hc\ 

 arc of small size, measuring ribout .60 by .4^ of an inch on the 

 a\erage. and somewhat slender and pcnnted. like the shape of a 

 swallow's ^[I'l,. rhe color, however, recalls more nearly some 

 of the warblers' eggs, it being pale greenish-blue, speckled pro- 

 iusel',' around the thickest portion, and sparsel\- elsewhere, with 

 i.nc spots ot golden brown ; but the amoimtof speckling varies. 

 Incubation is said to consume ten da\ s ; and when two weeks 

 old the \ ounu" are ready to leave the nest. 



Family SITTIDyE — Nuthatches. 



38. THE -WHITE- BELLIED NUTHATCH. 



SITTA CAR()LINENSLS Latham. 



Carolina or Common Nuthatch.* 



This familiar bird ranges over all the easicni United 

 States and British Provinces, westward to the lower Missouri 

 ri\ cr and northward to Nova .Scotia ; but is less plentiful on 

 the ^\tlantic coast than farther inland. 



It breeds everywhere, and early in the season, all northern 

 records indicating early May as the proper time to get fresh eggs. 



The nuthatches sometimes excavate a hole in the solid wood 

 for themselves ; one ten inches deep is described by C. F. 



• I'esides insects, they feed u])on various hard fruits, such as nuts and acorns — whence, it 

 is said, is derived the curious name "nuthatch," equivalent to ''nut-pecker," and perhaps al- 

 tered from "nut-hacker." — Elliott Coves. 



