BED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 



728. Sitta canadensis. 4* inches. 



These birds have the same habits as the larger Nut- 

 hatch, but are often found in flocks, while the White- 

 breasted are usually in pairs and in the fall accompanied 

 by their young. In the winter we usually find them 

 in coniferous trees, where we can locate them by their 

 nasal calls or by the shower of bark that they pry 

 from the tree in their quest for grubs. 



Song. A nasal "yank-yank," like that of the last, 

 but not so loud, and usually repeated more times. 



Nest. In hollow stumps and limbs, the area about 

 the opening nearly always being coated with fir bal- 

 sam, for what purpose is not known; the cavity is lined 

 with grasses and feathers; they lay from four to seven 

 white eggs, which are very thickly spotted with reddish 

 brown (.60 x .50). 



Range. N. A., breeding from the northern parts of 

 the northern tier of states, northward; winters south 

 nearly to the Gulf and southern California. 



13 * 



193 



