194 
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 
729. Sitta pusilla. 4% inches. 
Crown brownish with a white patch on the nape. 
These diminutive Nuthatches are found in the south- 
ern states. Their general habits do not appear to differ 
from those of other members of the family. They nest 
very early, commencing to excavate their holes in Janu- 
ary and having complete sets of eggs as early as the 
middle of February. 
They usually are found in small flocks and at night 
they will often be seen flying to the top of a pine 
where they sleep, all huddled together. 
Notes.—A continued twittering “nya-nya.” 
Nest.—In cavities of dead limbs or stumps, some- 
times only a few inches from the ground, and again 
as high as fifty feet; they lay five or six eggs, white 
with numerous spots of reddish brown (.62 x .49). 
Range.—South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding 
north to Virginia. 
