184 



BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 



729. Sitta pusilla. 4^ inches. 



Crown brownish with a white patch on the nape. 



These diminutive Nuthatches are found in the south- 

 ern states. Their general habits do not appear to 

 differ from those of other members of the family. 

 They nest very early, commencing to excavate their 

 holes in January and having complete sets of eggs 

 as early as the middle of February. 



They usually are found in small flocks and at night 

 they will often be seen flying to the top of a pine 

 where they sleep, all huddled together. 



Notes. A continued twittering nya-nya. 



Nest. In cavities of dead limbs or stumps, some- 

 times only a few inches from the ground, and again 

 as high as fifty feet; they lay five or six eggs, white 

 with numerous spots of reddish brown (.62 x .49). 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, breeding 

 north to Virginia. 



