Dusky, Gray, and Slate-colored 



woods of the north, where they have nested and moulted during 

 the summer ; but not until frost has sharpened the air are large 

 numbers of them seen. Rejoicing in winter, they nevertheless 

 do not revel in the deep and fierce arctic blasts, as the snowflakes 

 do, but take good care to avoid the open pastures before the hard 

 storms overtake them. 



Early in the spring their song is sometimes heard before they 

 leave us to woo and to nest in the north. Mr. Bicknell describes 

 it as "a crisp call-note, a simple trill, and a faint, whispered 

 warble, usually much broken, but not without sweetness." 



White-breasted Nuthatch 



(Sitta carolinensis) Nuthatch fomily 



Called also: TREE-MOUSE; DEVIL DOWNHEAD 



Length — 5.5 to 6 inches. A trifle smaller than the English sparrow. 



Male and Female — Upper parts slate-color. Top of head and nape 

 black. Wings dark slate, edged with black, that fades to 

 brown. Tail feathers brownish black, with white bars. 

 Sides of head and underneath white, shading to pale reddish 

 under the tail. (Female's head leaden.) Body flat and com- 

 pact. Bill longer than head. 



Range — British provinces to Mexico. Eastern United States. 



Migrations — October. April. Common resident. Most promi- 

 nent in winter. 



" Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, 

 Whom I meet on my walk of a winter day — 

 You're busy inspecting each cranny and hole 

 In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole ; 

 You intent on your task, and I on the law 

 Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw ! 



The woodpecker well may despair of this feat — 

 Only the fly with you can compete ! 

 So much is clear ; but I fain would know 

 How you can so reckless and fearless go, 

 Head upward, head downward, all one to you, 

 Zenith and nadir the same in your view ? " 



—Edith M. Thomas. 



Could a dozen lines well contain a fuller description or more 

 apt characterization of a bird than these " To a Nuthatch " ? 



84 



