56 RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 



Buffon's Torchepot du Canada, Canada Nuthatch of other 

 European writers, is either a young bird of the present species, 

 in its imperfect plumage, or a different sort that rarely visits the 

 United States. If the figure (PL Enl. 623) be correctly coloured, 

 it must be the latter, as the tail and head appear of the same 

 bluish gray or lead colour as the back. The young birds of this 

 species, it may be observed, have also the crown of a lead 

 colour during the first season; but the tail feathers are marked 

 nearly as those of the old ones. Want of precision in the figures 

 and descriptions of these authors, makes it difficult to determine; 

 but I think it very probable, that Sitta Jamaicensis minor, 

 Briss.; the Least Loggerhead of Brown, Sitta Jamaicensis, 

 Linn.; and Sitta Canadensis of Linn. Gmel. and Briss., are 

 names that have been originally applied to different individuals 

 of the species we are now describing. 



This bird is particularly fond of the seeds of pine trees. You 

 may traverse many thousand acres of oak, hickory and chestnut 

 woods, during. winter, without meeting with a single individual; 

 but no sooner do you enter among the pines than, if the air be 

 still, you have only to listen for a few moments, and their note 

 will direct you where to find them. They usually feed in pairs, 

 climbing about in all directions, generally accompanied by the 

 former species, as well as by the Black-capt Titmouse, Parus 

 atricapillus, and the Crested Titmouse, Parus bicolor, and 

 not unfrequently by the small Spotted Woodpecker, Picus 

 pubescens; the whole company proceeding regularly from tree 

 to tree through the woods, like a corps of pioneers; while in a 

 calm day the rattling of their bills, and the rapid motions of 

 their bodies, thrown like so many tumblers and rope-dancers 

 into numberless positions, together with the peculiar chatter of 

 each, are altogether very amusing; conveying the idea of Hungry 

 diligence, bustle and activity. Both these little birds, from the 

 great quantity of destructive insects and larvae they destroy, 

 both under the bark, and among the tender buds of our fruit 

 and forest trees, are entitled to, and truly deserving of, our es- 

 teem and protection. 



