THE BIRD BOOK 



728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 

 densis. 



Sitta cana- 



ited-breasted Nuthatch 



Range. North America, breeding from the 

 northern tier of states northward, and farther 

 south in mountain ranges; winters south to 

 southern United States. 



This species is smaller than 

 the last and has reddish brown 

 underparts and a black stripe 

 through the eye. The breed- 

 ing habits are the same as those 

 of the White-bellied variety, but 

 these birds almost invariably 

 coat the tree below the opening with pitch, 

 for what purpose is unknown. They lay from 

 four to six white eggs, numerously spotted 

 with reddish brown; size, .60 x .50. Data. 

 Upton, Maine, June 21, 1898. Nest in hole of 

 dead birch stub, 20 feet from the ground; made 

 of strips of bark and a few feathers. 5 eggs. 



White 



729. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. Sitta pusilla. 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States. 



This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their 

 habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in 

 cavities at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground. 

 That they sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced 

 by the data accompanying this egg. They lay from four to 

 seven eggs, white with profuse markings of reddish brown; size 

 .60 x .48. Data. St. Mary's Ga. Nest situated under the bark 

 of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from the ground; made of fine 



White 



strips of bark. 



730. PYGMY NUTHATCH. Sitta pygmcea 

 pygmaia. 



Range. North America west of the Rockies, 

 breeding from Mexico north to British Colum- 

 bia. Resident throughout its range. 



This species has an olive gray crown bor- 

 dered by dusky, the back is ashy blue and the 

 underparts soiled white or rusty. They are 

 common in mountains of western United States, 

 nesting in holes in trees the 

 same as the other species of ^ : * ,, 

 Nuthatches. They lay from five 

 to nine eggs which are white, '. 

 speckled thickly with reddish 

 brown; size .60 x .50. Data. 

 Huachucha Mts., Arizona, May White 

 25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches deep) in 

 dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground ; 

 composed of a mass of vegetable down; alti- 

 tude 9000 feet. 



432 



Brown-headed Nuthatch 



