RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 385 



the common fowls, entering the barn, examining its beams and 

 rafters, he seems to leave no means untried to secure a 

 subsistence. 



This species is doubtless a resident in Ontario and New Eng- 

 land, becoming more abundant during the winter months ; but in 

 the Maritime Provinces it is only a summer visitor. 



RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 



SiTTA CANADENSIS. 



Char. Above, ashy blue ; top and side of head black ; broad stripe 

 of white over the eyes ; wings blackish, with ashy and white markings ; 

 outer tail-feathers black and white ; beneath, reddish brown, — paler in 

 the female ; chin white ; bill long and acute. Length 4^ inches. 



Nest. In open woodland ; an excavation in a decayed stub, lined with 

 grass and roots, — sometimes with feathers. Often the entrance is sur- 

 rounded with fir balsam. 



Eggs, 4-6 ; white with pale roseate tint and thickly spotted with brown 

 and lilac ; 0.60 X 0.50. 



The habits of these smaller birds are almost similar to the 

 preceding ; they have, however, a predilection for pine forests, 

 feeding much on the oily seeds of these evergreens. In these 

 barren solitudes they are almost certain to be found in busy 

 employment, associating in pairs with the Chickadees and 

 smaller Woodpeckers, the whole forming a hungry, active, and 

 noisy group, skipping from tree to tree with petulant chatter, 

 probing and rattling the dead or leafless branches, prying in 

 every posture for their scanty food, and, like a horde of Tar- 

 tars, proceed through the forest and leisurely overrun the whole 

 of the continent to the very confines of the tropics, retiring 

 north in the same manner with the advance of the spring. 



The notes of this species of Nuthatch, though similar, are 

 sharper than those of the preceding, "^resembhng day day dait, 

 and sounding almost like a child's trumpet. Its motions are 

 also quicker. They cling to the bark of the tree and roost 

 commonly with the head downwards, in the manner of their 

 whole tribe. 



vou I. — 25 



