386 SINGING BIRDS. 



This species has a more extended range than carolinejtsis, being 

 found farther west and farther north. It breeds from northern 

 New England and Manitoba northward and southward along the 

 AUeghanies. In winter it ranges from New Brunswick to the Gulf 

 States. 



BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 



SiTTA PUSILLA. 



Char. Above, ashy blue ; top of head and neck brown; white spot 

 on back of neck; wings black and bluish; middle tail-feathers like back, 

 others black tipped with bluish ; beneath, dull brownish white tinged 

 with pale ash behind; throat white. Bill long, slender, and acute. 

 Length 4 to 4^ inches. 



Nest. In open woodland ; an excavation in a dead stump, lined with 

 grass, leaves, and feathers. 



Eggs. 4-6; white, thickly marked with fine spots of reddish brown and 

 pale lilac ; 0.60 X 0.50. 



This small species is seldom seen to the north of the State 

 of Virginia. In the Southern States it is rather common, and 

 is also met with in the island of Jamaica. Like the last, which 

 it resembles in manners, it is very fond of pine-trees, and 

 utters a similar note, but more shrill and chirping. Its food, 

 besides the seeds of the pine, is usually the insects which infest 

 the forest trees. In winter families of this species of 8 or 10 

 individuals may be seen busily hunting in company, and keep- 

 ing up a perpetual and monotonous screeping. It is less 

 suspicious than most other sylvan birds, sometimes descending 

 down the trunk of a tree watching the motions of the by- 

 stander; and if the intrusion happens to be near the nest, or 

 while engaged in digging it out, the little harmless mechanic 

 utters a sort of complaining note, and very unwillingly relin- 

 quishes his employment, which is instantly renewed on the 

 removal of the observerl 



This species is restricted to the Southern and Gulf States, rarely 

 wandering north of Virginia and Maryland ; but examples have 

 been taken in New York, Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan. 



