316 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



The White-breasted Nuthatch, generally known in this locality by the 

 name of "Sapsucker," is a common resident throughout the state. 

 During- the summer this species inhabits trees in groves and forests, 

 but in winter it visits trees of orchards, yards and gardens in quest of 

 food. The name of " Sapsucker," given to this bird and also to the 

 Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, is, when so used, a misnomer, as 

 neither the nuthatch or either of the woodpeckers ever feed on sap. 

 Nuthatches, like woodpeckers, creep about the trunks and limbs of trees 

 searching for insects, or their eggs, and various larvae. The nuthatch 

 deposits its eggs, usually five or six in number, in a warm bed of feath- 

 ers, hair and grasses which are placed in holes of trees. The eggs are 

 white, speckled with reddish -brown ; about .75 long by .55 wide. These 

 birds, in addition to feeding on various forms of insect-life, also eat 

 nuts, acorns, Indian corn, and various seeds, which they frequently stick 

 into the crevices of bark or in cracks of fence rails, and hammer away 

 with their bills until the nut or other food stuff is sufficiently broken 

 that it may be swallowed. 



Sitta canadensis LINN. 



Red-breasted Nuthatch. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 58). 



Length about 4f ; extent about 8g. Above dark ashy-blue ; below reddish-brown 

 ( some specimens have feathers about chin and throat whitish), crown and sides of 

 head black (these parts in female are dark grayish); a white superciliary stripe j 

 lores blackish ; tail feathers, except central pair, tipped with white. 



Habitat. North America at large, breeding mostly north of the United States, mi- 

 grating south in winter. 



The Red-breasted Nuthatch breeds sparingly in the higher mountain- 

 ous and northern parts of the state. In the southern parts of the com- 

 monwealth it occurs as a rather rare winter visitant. During the spring 

 and fall migrations this species is more frequently met with than at any 

 other time. I have found this nuthatch to be quite plentiful in Octo- 

 ber and the early part of November in Erie county, and Mr. Sennett in- 

 forms me it breeds sparingly in portions of Crawford county, where it is 

 found at all seasons of the year. In the southeastern part of our state 

 (Chester, Delaware and Lancaster counties) these birds, according to 

 my observation, are found as rather irregular winter residents ; during 

 severe winters they generally go farther southward. Prof. H. J. Koddy 

 has found this bird breeding in the mountainous regions. Food of the 

 Bed-breasted Nuthatch is similar to that of the last described species. 



