211 



one behind instead of the characteristic two and two of the Woodpeckers. 

 The bills are somewhat like those of the Woodpecker in outline but without 

 their chisel-shaped point and are set on a slightly up-tilted angle with the 

 head giving a turned-up or retrousse appearance (Figure 65, p. 28, 

 compare with Figure 41, p. 25). The colours of our species are char- 

 acteristic. The name Nuthatch is derived from their habit of wedging 

 nuts and other hard food into crevices and "hatching" or hacking 

 them until an entrance is made. Though capable of considerable ex- 

 cavating in wood or bark they do not use their powers to delve deeply 

 into trees but as a rule content themselves with flaking off the loose bark 

 scales and searching the open cavities and seams. 



727. Carolina Nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, big quank. fh. — la 

 siTELLE DE LA CABOLiNB. SUta caroUnensis. L, 6-07. Plate XLVI 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 while 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 wUte 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 of 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 every 

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

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



728. Red-breasted Nuthatch, little quank. pk. — la sitellb du Canada. 

 Sitia canadensis. L, 4-62. Like the White-breasted Nuthatch (Plate XLVI 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. 



