176 | BIRDS OF BERMUDA. 
This is somewhat extraordinary, when one considers the formidable bill 
of the victim ; but the Blue Bird is a determined little fellow, and for- 
tune favors the bold. A great number of ‘‘ crawlers ”—long scaly grubs, 
with no end of legs—are destroyed by these useful birds, who will sit 
patiently watching for them on a convenient twig, swooping down on 
the first comer and bearing him off in triumph. They will also dart 
into the air after passing insects much like a Flycatcher, returning 
each time to their starting-point. They are very bold in pursuit of 
prey when they have young to feed, but always visit their nest with 
extreme caution should an observer be near. 
Family PARID ZA. 
Sub-family SITTIN A. 
Genus Sirra, Linn. 
7. Sitta canadensis, Linn. Red-bellied Nuthatch. 
Sitta canadensis, Linn., Gm., Lath., Bp., Nutt., Aud., Bd., and other modern 
authors. 
Sitta varia, Wils. 
‘ Sitta stulta Vieill.”, (Bp.) 
Length, about 44 inches; wing, 23. 
Hab.—North America, at large in wooded regions, but rather north- 
erly (to 66° or farther); south, however, to the Mexican border. (Coues.) 
One specimen only has been taken in Bermuda; this is in Mr. Bart- 
ram’s collection, and was shot by himself near his house at Stocks Point. 
Family CERTHIADZ:. 
Sub-family CERTHIIN 4. 
Genus CERTHIA, Linn. 
8. Certhia familiaris, Linn. Brown Creeper. 
Certhia familiaris, Linn. and of authors—Vieil., Wils., Aud., &c. 
Certhia americana, Bp., Nutt., Bd., &c., and nearly all local writers of eastern 
United States. 
Certhia mexicana, Gloger and Reich., &c. (A variety.) 
Length, 5.50; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.90. 
Hab.— Europe, North America at large, Mexico (var.). (Coues.) 
Certhia familiaris, Brown Creeper.—A male bird of this species was 
shot by Bendall, an old soldier of the Fifty-third regiment, out of three 
or four seen in Devonshire Swamp, on November 24, 1876. 
