THE BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 241 



in the AUeg-hanies, Rocky Mountains, and Sierra Nevada ; in winter south to about 

 the southern border of the United States. 



Range in Ohio. — Not uncommon, but irregular, spring and fall migrant. 

 Sparingly resident in winter in central and southern Ohio, casually north, — regu- 

 larly wherever pine or hemlock timber occurs. 



THIS migratory species is more brightly colored as well as somewhat 

 smaller than its resident cousin, the White-breasted. It is frequently found 

 associated with the latter in winter, perhaps regularly from the Fortieth Par- 

 allel southward, altho it is never as numerous as the resident bird. Its com- 

 mon note somewhat resembles the quonk of the local species, but it is higher 

 pitched — at least an octave higher, Dr. Brewer says — and very nasal, quank, 

 qiiank, quank, or nya-a, nya-a. 



During migrations the Canadian Nuthatch is frequently associated with 

 the Warblers, and moves freely about the smaller limbs of orchard and shade 

 trees, especially conifers. At such times its unexpected behavior is a little puz- 

 zling, but if observed closely it will usually be seen to include in its travels a 

 tour of the tree-trunk in characteristic Nuthatch fashion. 



Its nesting is entirely extralimital, but possesses interest because of its 

 well-established custom of plastering the space immediately surrounding the 

 entrance to its nesting hole with pitch or fir balsam for a distance of several 

 inches. Whether this is done to insure a safe footing for* itself, or as a guard 

 against enemies is undetermined as yet. 



No. 105. 



BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 



A. O. U. No. 729. Sitta pusilla Lath. 



Description. — Adult: Above grayish blue; top of head well down, includ- 

 ing eye and nape, grayish brown, darker on borders ; a central white spot on nape ; 

 wings fuscous; bend of wing whitish; traces of white on central edges of outer 

 primaries beginning with the second, and in retreating order ; tail-feathers, except 

 central pair, black, tipped with grayish, the outer pairs with transverse white spot 

 retreating and fading centrally ; chin and sides of head below, white ; remaining un- 

 der parts sordid or dingy whitish ; bluish ashy on flanks ; bill stout, subulate, black- 

 ish above, lighter near base of lower mandible. Immature : Brown of head ob- 

 scured by color of back ; darker and more tawny below, length, 3.85-4.50 (97.8- 

 114.3); wing 2.57 (65.3); tail 1.29 (32.8); bill .51 (13.). 



Recognition Marks.— Pygmy size; grayish brown cap and tree-creeping 

 habits distinctive. 



