334 OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



All the nests which have fallen under the writer's observation have been situated 

 in either natural cavities or the abandoned excavations of Woodpeckers, in living 

 trees, or trees only partially dead. The breeding season continues usually from about 

 the middle of April until the middle of June, nests with eggs being most common^uring 

 the first three weeks in May. The disturbance of a nest containing even eggs some- 

 times occasions on the part of the parent birds an exhibition of great concern, and 

 they repeatedly approach almost within reach, making at intervals swift dashes toward 

 the intruder. 



The notes of the White-breasted Nuthatch are most frequently heard during the 

 colder months of the year. 



171. Sitta canadensis LINN. 

 Red-breasted Nuthatch. 



A very rare transient visitor. The only record for this species is September 26- 

 1890. 



SUBFAMILY PARIN/E. TITMICE. 



GENUS PARUS LINN^US. 



SUBGENUS LOPHOPHANES KAUP. 



172. Parus tricolor LINN. 

 Tufted Titmouse. 



A permanent resident ; abundant except in summer. It is equally numerous or* 

 the uplands and the lowlands. 



On October 2, 1892, a Tufted Titmouse was observed industriously hammer- 

 ing away at something in the crotch of a low tree. This object eventually proved 

 to be the half-punctured coccoon of a large moth ( Telea polyphemus). 



The Tufted Titmouse sings more or less continuously all the year, being least 

 frequently heard during December and January. The duration of its maximum 

 song seems to be from about the first of March until some time in June, after 

 which period it sings much less regularly. 



SUBGENUS PARUS LINNAEUS. 



173. Parus atricapillus LINN. 

 Chickadee. 



Resident; abundant in winter, but considerably less numerous in summer, 

 During the latter season it is found most frequently in the woods of the bottom- 

 lands, though is by no means entirely confined to them ; while in winter it occurs 

 almost everywhere, at only this season regularly visiting the yards along the streets 

 of the towns. 



The nesting season begins about the middle of April, full complements of eggs 

 being most common from the first to the fifteenth of May. A second brood is some-, 

 times reared in June. Rather open bottom woodlands, where decaying stumps 



