OF ARTS AND SCIENCES lOI 



in the valleys and on the lower slopes of the mountains up to 

 about 2000 feet. On June 23, 1903, six birds moving together 

 in the valley at the foot of the Highland evidently constituted a 

 family. There is no perceptible increase of individuals during 

 the general fall migrations. 



174. Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. 



A rather uncommon permanent resident. As a summer 

 resident it occupies the range of the White-breasted Nuthatch 

 and reaches also beyond on the sides of the higher mountains 

 as far as a thick growth of spruces and firs extends. Some sea- 

 sons a pair has occupied the fifty-acre piece of Highland wood- 

 land, which contains many coniferous trees. It has been found 

 also during the breeding season higher on the side of Bo)^ 

 Mountain at about 1700 feet, occupying a limited dense growth 

 of spruce and fir, and likewise near the summit of the mountain 

 at 2000 to 2200 feet. Before the burning of the swampy woods 

 at the Meadows it was a resident there in the valley. Its voice 

 is heard on Mt. Starr King, in Jefferson Notch, on the Cherry 

 Mountain road, and in Bretton Woods. In the autumn some 

 are seen in the mixed flocks of small migrant birds, and a few 

 remain, I am informed, as winter residents. 



175. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. Chickadee. 



A common permanent resident in all woodland and forest 

 up to 3000 feet or higher. In late August and in September it 

 is seen and heard in much increased numbers. The song or call- 

 note of the Chickadee, if heeded at this time, very frequently 

 leads the observer to a migrating band of small birds, in which 

 not unlikely there will prove to be among the many species 

 present a rare warbler or two, or, it may be, a PhiladelphiaVireo. 

 The Chickadee by his voice contributes the element of cheeri- 

 ness to such moving companies and is, perhaps, an influential 

 agent in holding the numbers together, as they move onward. 



