132 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



FAMILY CERTHIID^. CREEPERS 



726. Brown Creeper (Certhia familiaris amerkana.) 



A regular winter resident. A small, slender bird slightly- 

 larger than a Wren ; brown, lightly streaked with whitish. It is 

 seen creeping up tree trunks, usually in spirals. In gathering 

 food it goes from tree to tree, alighting on the trunk near the 

 ground and leaving it after reaching the branches. 



FAMILY SITTID^. NUTHATCHES, CHICKADEES 



Nuthatches are represented in South Dakota by two 

 species, both winter residents. Chickadees are represented by 

 two species, both annual residents. They are an interesting 

 group to study in their natural habitat and take kindly to arti- 

 ficial feeding during the winter. 



727. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis caroUnensis.) 



Common in winter, frequently remaining all summer and 

 nesting. Ashy gray above, white below, with a black cap ex- 

 tending low on the neck. The unpracticed observer must be 

 careful not to confuse this bird with the Chickadee. Both are 

 ashen color, but the Nuthatch is a chunky, flattish bird. His 

 favorite position is head downward on a tree trunk, and he gath- 

 ers his food going downward rather than upward. 



728. Red-breasted NuthatciI (Sitta canadensis.) 



A winter visitant, somewhat irregular in the southern part 

 of the State. Smaller than the preceding, with a black line 

 through the eye and reddish under parts. 



731. Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor.) 



During the fall of 1920 Mr. R. A. Morgan of Vermillion 

 had many opportunities of observing this interesting little bird 

 at his feed box. 



In its established range the Titmouse is a resident but 

 probably only a straggler here. However, it may be looked for 

 in the southern part of the State. 



Slightly larger than the Chickadee, it may be distinguished 

 from the latter by a gray crest. Above it is ashy gray, below, 



