195 BIRDS OF THE GRAXD PRE REGIOX. — TUFTS. 



pairs nested not far from mj^ house. The song is 

 wonderfully rich, and the bird's imitative powers 

 are quite unique and well developed. 



722. Nannus Memalis hitmalis (VieilL). Winter Wrex. — 

 Uncommon summer resident. ]\Iore observations 

 for October than for any other month. During the 

 breeding season I never observe these birds except 

 in the secluded wood-land regions, but in the 

 autumn they are often seen about the brush piles 

 and thickets nearer civilization. 



726. Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.). Br"owx 



Creeper. — Permanent resident, not common. In 

 the spring and summer this bird is usually met 

 with in the heavily timbered districts to the south; 

 but in late fall and winter it is no uncommon sight 

 about our orchards and shade trees. Its note is 

 a mouse-like sciueak, similar to that of the Golden- 

 crowned Kinglet, but in April I have heard them 

 burst into song which would do credit to anj' 

 warbler. The first time I heard this surprising 

 outburst I was at a loss to account for it, since the 

 season was earlj^ and no warbler but the "Mj^rtles" 

 had returned. I was quite amazed when, after 

 careful search, I came upon the modest source, 

 none other than the hitherto-supposed songless 

 little creeper. 



727. Sitta carolinensis carolinensis Lath. White-breasted 



Nuthatch.— Permanent resident, much less com- 

 mon than formerly. Onl}' one observation for the 

 nesting season, June 9th, 1913. 



728. Sitta canadensis Linn. Red-breasted Xuthatch.— 



Permanent resident, common some seasons, rare or 

 absent others. The occurrence of this bird, like 

 that of the Cross-bill and Pine Siskin, seems to 



