WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH 73 



White-breasted Nuthatch : Sitta- carolinensis. 

 (Fig. 32, p. 74 ; and Fig. 34, p. 77.) 



Males, top of head black ; back bluish gray ; wings and tail 

 marked with black and white ; under parts white. Females, 

 similar, but black of head duller. Length, about inches. 



GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION. Eastern North America ; breeds 

 from the Gulf states to Minnesota and New Brunswick ; gen- 

 erally resident throughout its range. 



In the north a special debt of gratitude is due 

 the birds that accept our winter hospitality, and 

 the Nuthatch is one of our main dependences, 

 coming with the Chickadees, Woodpeckers, and 

 Blue Jays to visit our suet. In the south it is also 

 found during cold weather in company with the 

 Tufted Titmice and Kinglets, and in spring and 

 fall with flocks of migrating Warblers ; but the 

 Chickadee and Nuthatch are most frequently seen 

 together, and in summer both retire to the woods 

 and build their nests in tree trunks. The Nut- 

 hatch is as quaint and droll as the Black-cap is 

 plump and friendly, but the two agree in being 

 very much preoccupied with their own matters. 

 The Nuthatch spends most of his time moving 

 about, head down, on tree trunks, or suspended 

 under a branch like a fly on the ceiling, and it 

 is said that he even sleeps hanging head down. 

 Once, when watching a family of youngsters, I fell 

 to wondering" whether thev were born with aero- 



O > 



batic skill or whether age steadied their heads, 

 and just at that moment one of the brood started 



