NUTHATCHES. 515 



Frequents open woodlands, groves and or- 

 namental trees everywhere. Creeps spirally 

 up trees, than drops to base either of same 

 tree or another to reascend. Flight, swift 

 and direct. Usual note, a thin sharp lisp; 

 also a crackling cry, and a not commonly 

 heard silvery, tinkling song. 



NUTHATCHES. 



Small birds with straight bills, long 

 wings and short tails. Climb trees some- 

 thing like Woodpeckers, but descend head 

 downwards. Nests in cavities often excavated 

 by the birds; eggs white, spotted. 



594. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 



Large, 6; blue-gray above; top of head 

 and hind neck, black; beneath, white, fig. 

 408. Female, with crown blue like back. 

 Breeds throughout eastern U. S. into Pro- 

 vinces, south to northern N. C. west to Great 

 Plains, chiefly resident. Frequents wood- 

 lands, orchards, and ornamental trees. Usual 

 call, a harsh each, also an interrupted series 



