132 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 
FAMILY CERTHIIDZ CREEPERS 
726. BRowNn CREEPER (Certhia familiaris americana.) 
A regular winter resident. A small, slender bird slightly 
larger than a Wren; brown, lightly streaked with whitish. It is 
seen creeping up tree trunks, usually in spirals. In gathering 
food it goes from tree to tree, alighting on the trunk near the 
ground and leaving it after reaching the branches. 
FAMILY SITTIDA,. NUTHATCHES, CHICKADEES 
Nuthatches are represented in South Dakota by two 
species, both winter residents. Chickadees are represented by 
two species, both annual residents. They are an interesting 
group to study in their natural habitat and take kindly to arti- 
ficial feeding during the winter. 
727. WHITE-BREASTED NuTHaTCH (Sitta carolinensis carolinensis.) 
Common in winter, frequently remaining all summer and 
nesting. Ashy gray above, white below, with a black cap ex- 
tending low on the neck. The unpracticed observer must be 
careful not to confuse this bird with the Chickadee. Both are 
ashen color, but the Nuthatch is a chunky, flattish bird. His 
favorite position is head downward on a tree trunk, and he gath- 
ers his food going downward rather than upward. 
728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis.) 
A winter visitant, somewhat irregular in the southern part 
of the State. Smaller than the preceding, with a black line 
through the eye and reddish under parts. 
731. Turtep Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor.) 
During the fall of 1920 Mr. R. A. Morgan of Vermillion 
had many opportunities of observing this interesting little bird 
at his feed box. 
In its established range the Titmouse is a resident but 
probably only a straggler here. However, it may be looked for 
in the southern part of the State. 
Slightly larger than the Chickadee, it may be distinguished 
from the latter by a gray crest. Above it is ashy gray, below, 
