PASSERES — PARID^. 203 



nuts and the other small forest nuts and fruits. I have 

 seen the nuthatch descend to the ground for weed seed and 

 other tidbits which have fallen upon the snow. He also 

 sometimes searches about the decaying stumps and about 

 the roots of the trees. There is nothing in the statement 

 that he is one of the "sapsuckers" and so injures trees. 

 He is a very useful bird at all times. 



286. (728.) SiTTA CANADENSIS Linn. 18. 



Red-breasted Nuthatch. 

 Synonyms: Red-bellied Nuthatch^ Canada Nuthatch. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 164. 



This nuthatch is usually less common than the preced- 

 ing, and is not resident anywhere in the state. It is more 

 common as a migrant both spring and autumn, but it win- 

 ters in small numbers over the entire state, more numerous- 

 ly in the southwestern part. It is found in nearly the same 

 situations as the White-breasted, and frequently ranges 

 with it. Its food seems to be much the same. 



In its migrations it reaches the state early in April and is 

 gone north by the middle of May, returning again about the 

 middle of September. Most have gone south again a 

 month later, a few remaining all winter. 



Subfamily Parin^e. Titmice. 



Of the members of this group which live in Ohio one is 

 southern, scarcely reaching even the middle of the state. 

 The other two are among the most common winter birds, 

 the Chickadee often feeding about our houses. The Tufted 

 Titmouse not infrequently comes into town, especially dur- 

 ing March and April, when he is calling lustily. A whistled 

 imitation of their calls will almost invariably bring one or 

 more within reach of your hand. They are not so much in 

 evidence in summer because they are busy with household 

 affairs then. 



