318 



North American Birds Eggs. 



[White.] 



725.1. Marian Marsh Wren. Tdmatodytes niarianx. 



Range. — West coast of Florida. 



This species is similar to the Long-billed variety but is darker and more, bar- 

 red above and below. Its nests and'eggs will not be found to differ materially 

 from those of the others of this genus. 



CREEPERS. Family CERTHIID/E. 



7 26. Brown Creeper. Certhia fainUiarU americana. 



Range.— Eastern North America, breeding from the northern tier of states 

 northward; winters in the United States. 



These peculiar, weak-voiced Creepers are common in northern 

 United States during the winter, when they may be seen slowly 

 toiling up the tree trunks, searching the crannies of the bark for 

 larvae. They make their nests behind loose hanging bark on 

 old tree stubs, usually at low elevations, building them of twig , 

 bark, moss, etc., held together with cobwebs. The eggs, which 

 are laid in May or June, are pure white, specked and spotted with 

 reddish brown; they average in size .58 x .48. The nests are most often found 

 under the loosened bark on coniferous trees. 



726a. Mexican Creeper. C. f. albescens. 



Range.— Western Mexico north to southern Arizona. 



The nesting habits of this brighter colored form are the same as those of the 

 others. 



726b. Rocky Mountain Creeper. C. f. montaita. 



Range.— Rocky Mountains, breeding from New Mexico to Alaska. 



The eggs of this grayer variety cannot be distinguished from those of the 

 eastern birds and the nests are in similar situations. 



726c. California Creeper. C. f. occidcntaUs. 



Range. — Pacific coast from southern California north to Alaska. 



An abundant species, especially on mountain ranges, breeding behind the 

 bark chiefly on pine trees. The eggs are not different from those of the others. 



726d. Sierra Creeper. C. f. zclotes. 



Range. — Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Cascade Range in 

 Oregon. 



Very similar to the last and with the same habits; eggs indistinguishable. 



NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Family PARID/E. 



727. White-breasted Nuthatch. Siita carolinensis. 



Range.— United States east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to southern 

 Canada; resident throughout its range. 



These birds are creepers, but unlike the last species, these run 

 about on the trunks, either up or down; their tails are not pointed 

 J and stiffened like those of the Brown Creepers, and their plumage 

 is gray and black aliove with a black crown, and white below. 

 They nest in holes in trees, usually deep in the woods and at any 

 elevation from the ground; they nearly always use deserted 

 Woodpeckers' holes but are said at times to excavate their own, 

 with great labor as their bills are little adapted for that work. They line the 

 cavities with bark strips and hair or feathers, and, during April or May, lay 

 from four to nine white eggs, profusely specked with reddish brown and lilac. 

 Size .80 X .60. Data.— Lancaster, Mass., May 16, 1'.I02. Nest in hole in an oak 

 tree, 45 feet above ground; made of tine strips of bark fibre and hair. Collector, 

 John E. Thayer. 



