SITTA PYGjM^A. 417 



SiTTA PYGM^EA. 

 Pigmy IVntliatcli. 



Siita pygmwa, Vigors, Zool. Beeclicv's Voy., 1830, 20, pi. 4.— Baikd. B. N. Am., 

 1858, 378; Cat. N. Am. B., 1850, No. 281; lieview, 1804,88.— B .B. & R., Hist. 

 N. Am. B., I, 1874, 120, pi. VII T, fig. 10.— CooPEii, Oni. Cal., 55.— CouES, 

 Key, 1872, 83, fig. 27 ; Check List, 1873, No. 41 ; B. N.W., 1874, 25.— Ubn- 

 SHAW, 1875, 175. 



This curioiLS little Nuthatch was always a companion of the larger 

 species {S. aculeata), the same local conditions being favorable or unfavor- 

 able to their presence. They appear to live togetlier on the best of terms, 

 since we have often seen individuals of each pass and re-pass one another as 

 they searched the same branch or trunk. The manners of this diminutive 

 Nuthatch partake in their general nature of those connnon to the genus, 

 and present no marked peculiarities worthy of note. It is extremely 

 noisy, its shrill notes being uttered almost continually, whether the bird 

 is engaged in creeping among the branches or in flying from the top of 

 one tree to that of another; and although one may be making a din 

 greater than that of any other bird in the forest, it is generally hard to 

 discover him, on account of his diminutive size. The notes of tliis species 

 greatly resemble in their high pitch the "peet" or "peet-weet" of certain 

 Sandpipers (as Trmgoklcs and Bhyacopluliis), but they are louder and more 

 piercing. When once paired, these birds seem to possess a strong attach- 

 ment to their mates, since on one occasion, after a female had been killed, 

 the male made loud and continued complaint, and after being followed 

 from tree to tree, was finally shot from the same one where his mate had 

 been secured. 



List of spccimena. 



410, S ad; Carson City, Nevada, February 19, 1868. 4.^— 8J— 2^— 2^'^. Bill, 

 slate-black, basal half of lower maudible (abruptly), milk-white; iris, very dark vaii- 

 dykebrown ; tarsi and toes, plumbeous-black. 



411, 9 «//.; mate of preceding. 4f — 7f— 2g — 2^*^. Same remarks. White of bill 

 with delicate bluish tinge. 



488, 9 «/?.; Carson, April 3. 4|— 8— 2§— 2|. Same remarks. 

 492, S ad.; Carson, April 4. 4f^ — 8 — 2ii — 2y'g-. Same remarks. 

 27 P R 



