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winter. In the higher latitudes it has been observed in large num- 

 bers, and it is said to possess much of the manners of the common 

 Cedar Bird. It is stated in the Fauna Boreali Americana, or 

 Northern Zoology, page 237, that " this elegant bird was detected 

 in America in the spring of 1826, near the sources of the Athabasca, 

 or Elk River, by Mr. Drummond, and by Dr. Richardson, the same 

 season at the Great Bear Lake, in latitude 65 deg." 



Dr. Richardson also makes a note of having observed a large flock, 

 consisting of at least three or four hundred individuals, on the bank 

 of the Saskatchewan, at Garleton House, early in May, 1827. — 

 " They alighted in a grove of poplars, settling all on one or two trees, 

 and making a loud twittering noise. They staid only about an 

 hour in the morning, and were too shy to allow him to approach 

 within q-unshot." 



FAMILY SITTING. 



NUTHATCHES. 

 GENUS SITTA — LINN. 



NUTHATCH. 



[Bill of moderate length— hard, straight, pointed ; bristles at the base of the 

 upper mandible ; head ovate ; neck short ; body short, raiher plump ; wings 

 moderate, first quill very small ; (ail short, nearly even, of twelve broad fea- 

 thers — feet robust — toes long — tarsi rather short.] 



SITTA CAROLINENSIS— LINN. 



WHITE BREASTE-D NUTHATCH. 



White-breasted American Nuthatch, Sitta Carolinensis, Wils. Amer. Orn. 

 Sitta Carolinensis, Bjnap. Syri. 

 White-breasted American Nuthatch, Nutt. Man. 

 White-breasted Nuthatch, Si:ta Carolinensis, Aud. Orn. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill along the gap seven-eighths of an inch j 

 the upper mandible straight, the lower rounded ; upper part of the 

 head, hind neck, and a band curving on the side of the neck black ; 



