388 NUTHATCHES AND TITS. 



search for certain tidbits in the shape of grubs or insects' eggs hidden 

 in the bark. 



There is such a lack of sentiment in the Nuthatch's character, he 

 seems so matter-of-fact in all his ways, that it is difficult to imagine 

 him indulging hi anything like song. But even he can not withstand 

 the all-conquering influences of spring, and at that season he raises 

 his voice in a peculiar monotone — a tenor hah-hah-hah-hah-hah — 

 sounding strangely like mirthless laughter. 



72 7b. S. C. atkinsi Scott. Florida White-breasted IS'lthatch. — 

 Similar to the preceding, but somewhat smaller, the wing-coverts and quills 

 but slightly or not at all tipped with whitish, the 9 with the top of the head 

 and nape black, as in the 6 . W., 3-32; T., 1-80; B., -TO. 



Range. — Florida, northward on the Atlantic coast to southern South Caro- 

 lina. 



728. Sitta canadensis Z/;/n. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Ad. $ . — 



Top of the head and a wide diupe through the eye to the nape shining black ; 



a white line over the eye; upper parts 



bluish gray ; no black marks on the 



secondaries ; outer tail-feathers black, 



with white patches near their tips; 



middle ones bluish gray ; throat white ; 



rest of the under parts ochraceons-hiiff or rufous. 



Ad. 9 . — Similar, but the top of the head and stripe 



through the eye bluish gray, like the back ; under 



parts paler. L., 4-62 ; W., 2-66 ; T., 1'58 ; B., -50. 



^m'^Vv^^I^wm'^^J"*'?'^''^^? Banqe.—^orth. America; breeds from Mani- 



Nuthatch. (Natural size.) '' ' 



toba and Maine northward, and southward along 



the Alleghaniesto North Carolina; winters from about the southern limit of 



its breeding range to the Gulf States. 



Washington, irregularly abundant W. Y., sometimes rare, Sept. 15 to JNIay 

 ' 10. Sing Sing, irregular W, V,, Aug. 8 to May 8. Cambridge, irregular T. V. 

 and W. v., Sept. 15 to Nov. 25 ; Nov. 25 to Apl. 1, or rarely May 5. 



Nest^ of grasses, in a hole in a tree or stump. Eggs, four to six, white or 

 creamy white, speckled with cinnamon-, rufous-brown, and lavender, -60 x -47. 



While resembling the White-breasted Nuthatch, this more northern 

 species differs from it sufficiently both in notes and appearance to be 

 easily distinguished. Its black face-stripe is a noticeable character, 

 while to the trained ear its higher, finer, more nasal, slightly drawled 

 yna, yna is quite unlike the White-breast's vigorous yank, yank. The 

 Red-breast has an evident partiality for pine trees, and may be seen 

 hovering about the cones while looking for a foothold from which to 

 extract their seeds. 



729. Sitta pusilla (Lath.). Brown-headed Nuthatch. .-!(/.— Top 

 and back of the head dark grayish broicn ; a whitish patch on the nape ; no 



