290 THE RED-BREASTED NUTimTCH. 



15ciiig non-migratory (with tlic irregular exception of 5". caitadcnsis) 

 Nutliatclies arc called ii|)on to eiuiiue tlie rigors of a northern climate with its 

 occasional droj) to tliirty below; !)ut this does not give them or their fellows 

 great concern, because of the unfailing character r>f their food suitply. Picsirle 

 tliat, ])lease remember that feathers and fat afford the warmest ])rotection 

 known. 



No. 112. 



RED-BREASTED M IMAICH. 



A. O. I'. \(). 728. Sitta canadensis I. inn. 



Synonyms. — RKn-i!i:i.Lii:i) Ni Tu.xTCH. Can.U)I.\x XfTii.xTcn. 



Description. — . hhilt male: Crown and nape shinincj black ; white sup- 

 erciliary lines nueting on e.xtrcine forehead: a black band thru eye; remaining 

 upperi)arts grayish blue; wings fuscous, unmarked: tail feathers, except u|)1ht 

 l)air, black; the outer pairs subterniinally blotched with white in retreating order: 

 chin, and sides of head, and neck below the black, pure white: remaining under- 

 parts rusty or ochraceous brown; bill short, subulate. |)lumbeous-black : feet dark 

 lirown. ./(//(// female: Similar, but crown like the back, with only trace< of black 

 beneath; lateral heacl-stri])e blackish; usually ])alcr rusty below. Immature: 

 Like adult female. Length. 4.25-4.75 ( io8-i20.()) ; average of seven specimen^, 

 wings 2.rii (66.3) ; tail 1.43 ( .^^..V) : b'H -50 (12.7). 



Recognition Marks. — I'ygmy size : black and grayish blue alxve : ru>;ty 

 below; tree-cri'e])ing habits. 



Nesting. — XesI: of grasses, feathers, etc., in a hole of tree or stub. cxcavate<l 

 by the bird, usually at lower levels. Efjgs: 4-6, white or creamy white, speckled 

 with reddish bmwn and lavender, .\verage size, .63 x .48 ( ifi x 12. 2I. Season: 

 first week in May: one brood. 



General Range. — North .America at large, breeding from northern New 

 Englau<l. iiortherii New York, and northern Michigan northward, and soutlnvar<l 

 in the Alleghanies, Rocky Mountains, and Sierra Nevada: in winter south to 

 about the <iiiubiTii border of the I'nited States. 



Ran^e in VSashinRton. — ComnK«n resident and migrant in timbered sections 

 thruout tile State, more innnerous in the mouiUains; winter residents are, possibly. 

 .Maskan birds. 



Authorities. — ? Ornithological Conunittec. Jouru. .\c. Nat. Sci. Pliila. Nil. 

 18^7, 19^ (Columbia River). Cooper and Sucklev, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. XII. 

 pt." IL i8ro. 10.'. T. C&S. Rh. P'. Sr. Ra. D'. Kk. J. P.. E. 



Specimens.- I', of W. P'. Prov. R. 



TIII'.RIC is nothing big alxnit the Red-hreasted N'nthalch save his voice. 

 If undisturbed, birdikins pursues the even tenor of his ways, like any other 

 winged bug hunter; but once pri>voke his curiosity or aron.^e suspicion. 



