is .61, the least short-diameter is. 53. A common size is about .71 x .54. The eggs of this species in the 

 National Museum measure from .68 to .78 in long-diameter, by .52 to .58 in short-diameter. A common 

 size is about .73 x .52. The average size of eggs of this species, as given by many authors, is greater 

 than the largest egg in the National Museum or in my collection. "North American Birds" gives their 

 size at .80 x .62 of an inch. " Birds of the North-west," .78 x .59. '''Nests and Eggs of North American 

 Birds," Davie, .80 x .60. " Land and Game Birds of New England," Minot, .80 x .60. "Life Histories 

 of Birds," Gentry, .80 x .62. "Oology of New England," Capen, .80 x .60. 



DIFFERENTIAL POINTS : 



There is a number of eggs that resemble so closely those of the White-bellied Nuthatch that iden- 

 tification is uncertain, without full data accompany the specimens. See Table. 



REMARKS : 



Fig. 6, Plate LXVIII, represents three eggs of the White-bellied Nuthatch of the common sizes, 

 shapes, and patterns of markings. The egg to the right is the least common in size and markings. The 

 drawings were made from specimens in the National Museum, as my Ohio eggs were at the time mis- 

 laid. They have since been found, and from the measurements given it will be seen they are somewhat 

 more obtuse than those shown on the plate. 



The White-bellied Nuthatch is the only one of its family that breeds in Ohio, and it is by far the 

 commonest species, even during spring, fall, and winter; in fact, in some parts of the State, it is the 

 only representative of the family even in winter. It feeds upon insects and their eggs, and is usually 

 busily engaged climbing around the trunks and larger limbs of trees in search of them. Its habits in 

 this respect are similar to the smaller Woodpeckers', but it differs in its climbing ability from its red- 

 headed friends, being able while clinging to a tree to turn around and descend, head downward, a feat 

 impossible to our Woodpeckers. 



The following is from "North American Birds," page 115: "The habits of this and the other species 

 of Nuthatches partake somewhat of the smaller Woodpeckers and of the Titmice. Without the nois}^ and 

 restless activity of the latter, they seek their food in a similar manner, and not unfrequently do so in 

 their company, moving up or down the trunks and over or under the branches of trees, searching every 

 crack or ci'evice of the bark for insects, larvae, or eggs. Like the Woodpeckers, they, dig industriously 

 into decayed branches for the hidden grub, and like both Woodpeckers and Chickadees, they industriously 

 excavate for themselves a place for their nests in the decayed trunks of forest trees. . . . The 

 European Nuthatch is said to plaster up the enteince to its nest, to contract its opening, and lessen the 

 dangers of unfriendly intrusion. This habit has never been observed in any of the American species. 



"All our ornithological writers have noticed the assiduities of the male bird to his sitting mate, and 

 the attention with which he supplies her with food. He keeps ever in the vicinity of the nest, calls her 

 from time to time to come to the mouth of the hole to take her food, or else to receive his endearments 

 and caresses, and at the approach of danger fearlessly intervenes to warn her of it. When feeding- 

 together, the male bird keeps up his peculiar nasal cry of honk-honk, repeating it from time to time, as 

 he moves around the trunk or over the branches." 



300 



