224 

 Genus — Sitta. Nuthatches. 



727. Carolina Nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, big qttank. fb. — la 

 sittelle de la caboline. Sitta carolinensis. L, 6-07. Plate XL VI B. 



Distinctions. With the illustration and family description this species can be mistaken 

 only for the Red-breasted Nuthatch. It is, however, a larger bird and although there are 

 traces of chestnut on the lower belly and undertail-coverts and sometimes a slight wash on 

 the flank, the breast and most of the underparts are pure white instead of being evenly 

 washed with rufous or rusty. The sides of the face are solid white instead of having black 

 ear-coverts and distinct white eyebrow stripes. 



Field Marks. The even blue-grey back and black crown are characteristic of the Nut- 

 hatches; the purity of the white below and lack of white eyebrow line separate the White 

 from the Red-breasted. 



Nesting. In a hole in a tree or usually a natural cavity, in nest of feathers, leaves, etc. 



Distribution. As a species the Carolina Nuthatch inhabits all temperate North 

 America. Our eastern subspecies, the White-breasted Nuthatch, the type of the species, 

 extends west to the prairie provinces in Canada and north to the limits of heavy forests. 



SUBSPECIES. The Carolina Nuthatch is divided into several geographic races, only 

 one of which, the White-breasted Nuthatch, the type form, occurs in eastern Canada. 



The climbing and trunk-creeping of the Nuthatches is a wonderful 

 accomplishment. They travel upwards or downwards, forwards or 

 backwards, perpendicularly or horizontally, or even clinging to the under- 

 side of branches like flies on the ceiling, apparently with equal ease. Their 

 usual call-note is a hoarse "Quank Quank" and they often travel in pairs 

 and little groups along with Chickadees and Creepers. 



Economic Status. One of the most useful birds. Although it pays 

 much attention to forest trees it often comes to orchard and shade trees 

 and as a member of the above-mentioned company which examines with 

 microscopic eyes every part of the winter tree trunks for insects, it con- 

 sumes great quantities of pests in adult, egg, or larval stages. 



728. Red-breasted Nuthatch, little quank. fr. — la sittelle ov canada. 

 Sitta canadensis. L, 4-62. Like the White-breasted Nuthatch (Plate XLVT B) but 

 smaller and with the underparts washed with rufous; black ear-coverts, and with a white 

 eyebrow stripe. 



Distinctions. Size and above colour differences will separate this species from any other 

 bird. 



Field Marks. An evident Nuthatch, smaller than the previous species, and with a 

 conspicuous white eyebrow line, all underparts obviously reddish. 



Nesting. In hole in tree or stump, in nest of grasses. 



Distribution. Rather more northern in breeding range than the preceding and a 

 migrant in most of the cultivated sections of Canada. It ranges over most of North 

 America north to near the tree limits. 



A slightly more active bird than the preceding and more prone to 

 forage about the tips of branches. Otherwise its habits are very similar. 



FAMILY PARID.ffi. TITMICE. 



The Titmice are birds of wide distribution in the northern hemisphere 

 and are as familiar to European residents as to us. They are small birds 

 with rather short but comparatively strongly arched bills (Figure 66, 

 p. 28). Their plumage characters are usually easily recognized. 



