Rocky Mountain Nuthatch 



BY P. B. PEABODY, WYOMING 



AMONG recent differentiates there are few birds more deserving of indis- 

 putable sub-specific rank than the White-breasted Nuthatch of the 

 Rocky Mountain Region, far and wide. And there is positively no bird in 

 all America that holds the rare spirit of affection-winning from the human 

 race to so high a degree as this. Conjugal affection is fascinating to the re- 

 generate, everywhere. In the mutual spirit of birds that brave all storms 

 and all weathers in unbroken harmony, mate side by side with its mate, 

 there is somewhat that wins both respect and regard from the sensitive and 

 the susceptible, everywhere. 



But there is more than this in the mystery and fascination which surround 

 this Nuthatch. The very fact that he seems to be very little known, even 

 among advanced observers, must count for much. That he has, moreover, 

 certain unique habits of nesting must give him a unique distinction to those 

 observers and chroniclers of bird habit with whom no toil is too great no 

 hardship too severe if undergone in the discovery of something new. In 

 proof of the assertion made above Figure I is offered ; without explanation or 

 comment. The writer will be very greatly interested to have suggestions 

 made by readers of The Warbler as to what the Nuthatch pictured in this 

 plate is doing with himself. 



During all winters and all winter-times, in Northeastern Wyoming this 

 Nuthatch is a frequent sojourner in all sorts of woodland places ; and even, 

 on accidental occasion, in the vicinity of homes. At such times, quite as 

 much or even more noticeably than during the breeding season each male 

 will be found to have his mate. And the tender deference he pays her, 

 amid winter scenes, is greatly akin to that which most of birds display dur- 

 ing the nuptial season only. In apparent carelessness of each other's -possi- 

 ble straying the two birds will search for their winter food together ; picking 

 some fat cocoon from its cache and giving it a most vigorous thrashing atop 

 some dead limb. In this very strenuous process the bird exerts, relatively, 

 a giant strength ; lifting itself, at each stroke, by its momentarily-uplifted 

 wings. In this process of maceration the fortunate finder will seem quite 

 absorbed. Yet if the mate have wandered beyond its sight the one-time ab- 



so 



