202 BIRDS OF OHIO. 



the inquiring eye. In winter he prefers the deep woods, 

 though often found in towns ; but during the migrations he 

 frequently pursues his search for insects and larvae in the 

 bark of our shade trees. In winter I have usually found 

 him among the company of nuthatches, woodpeckers, and 

 titmice. 



In spring he tarries well into May, returning late in Sep- 

 tember. 



Family PARIMS. Nuthatches and Titmice. 

 Subfamily SITTING. Nuthatches. 



The nuthatches are so different from all other birds in 

 their manner of feeding tliat they attract attention at once. 

 They much prefer to cling head downward on a perpendic- 

 ular tree trunk, prying into the crevices of the bark, or 

 "hatching" the kernel from some nut or seed. They always 

 want to know what you are and what you propose to do 

 about it. They are poor singers, but the voice is strong 

 and carries far. The term "sapsucker" is wholly misap- 

 plied to these birds. They are wholly useful. 



285. (727.) SITTA CAROLINENSIS Lath. 17. 



' White-breasted Nuthatch. 



Synonyms: White-bellied Nuthatch, Carolina Nuthatch. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 164. 



All must know this interesting inhabitant of the trees, 

 for he is common all the year everywhere in the state, com- 

 ing into the parks and not infrequently building his nest 

 there or in the shade trees along the streets. He may be 

 found everywhere that trees grow, especially in winter. He 

 is usually the first of the winter company to make his pres- 

 ence known in the woods. His habit of clinging and feed- 

 ing head down on the trunk of a tree attracts attention to 

 him at once. 



The food of this bird is both insects and vegetable mat- 

 ter. The insects are such as inhabit the bark of trees, most- 

 ly, and the vegetable matter seems to be largely the beech- 



