PLATE LIX. WHITE-BREASTED (OR BELLIED) NUTHATCH. 



Sit fa carolinensis. 



Crown and back of neck black ; back gray-blue ; cheeks, throat, 

 breast and belly dull white : wings dark, many of the feathers light- 

 edged ; the middle feathers of the tail gray-blue, the outer ones marked 

 strongly with black and white ; bill and feet dark. Length, 6 inches. 



Resident. Nests in a hole generally made by the bird itself in a tree or stump. It 

 has no song, but utters a short, harsh call, which resembles the syllable quank. It clambers 

 up, down or around tree-trunks, or runs along the upper or under side of a branch with 

 equal ease, industriously searching for insects or nuts, on both of which it feeds. 



In separating the kernels of nuts from the husk or shell, it wedges the nut into a 

 crevice of bark or limb, and pounds upon it until the shell gives way. 



The bird is an accomplished gymnast, hanging, says Dr. Coues, "in every conceivable 

 attitude, head downward as often as otherwise." 



