88 SITTID^E : NUTHATCHES. 



round, and breeding indifferently in any suitable local- 

 ities. Numerous local lists which I have examined 

 give the bird as " resident," Dr. Brewer alone remark- 

 ing, not too intelligibly, that it is in New England a 

 "summer resident, partially resident." It is certainly, 

 however, found in winter, and in some places appears 

 to be more abundant at that season thari in summer. 



The nidification is essentially similar to that of the 

 Titmice (Partda), the nest being placed in excava- 

 tions in trees. The eggs are also similar, being white, 

 more or less thickly and uniformly spotted with reddish- 

 brown, but they are larger than those of the Chicka- 

 dee, measuring from 0.75 to 0.82 in length, by 0.56 to 

 0.63 in breadth. They are laid late in May or early 

 in June. The food consists chiefly of various insects 

 and their larvae, which are procured by means not 

 unlike that employed by Woodpeckers. The note is 

 very peculiar ; it may be likened to the quick pro- 

 nunciation of the syllables ick^ ick^ ick^ in a hollow, 

 guttural tone. 



RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 



SlTTA CANADENSIS Z-. 



Chars. Above, clear ashy-blue, brighter than in S. carolinensis; 

 central tail-feathers the same. Under parts reddish-brown (very 

 variable in purity and intensity). Crown glossy black, separated 

 by a white supraciliary line from a broad bar of black through 

 the eye from the bill to the nape. Tail, excepting the middle 

 feathers, black, the lateral feathers marked with white. Wings 

 dusky, with slight ashy edgings and concealed white bases of the 

 primaries. Female and young with the black on the head defective 

 or wanting. Length, 4.50-4.75 ; extent, 8.00-8.50 ; wing, 2.60- 

 2.70; tail, 1.50; bill, 0.50; tarsus, 0.60. 



