342 LAND BIRDS 



under the leaves, earthworms on the ground, or berries 

 in the garden. These are all swallowed first and de- 

 livered to the infant Mockers by regurgitation for the 

 first few days, or until the babies' eyes open. After that, 

 the number of earthworms, butterflies, etc. devoured by 

 those nestlings rivals the story of the young robins who 

 in twelve hours ate forty per cent more than their own 

 weight. There seems to be no limit to their appetite and 

 scarcely any to their capacity. Even after they leave the 

 nest and are nearly as large as the adults, they follow the 

 overworked father about, begging with quivering wings. 

 They are remarkably handsome youngsters, with their 

 soft brownish coats and spotted breasts, well deserving 

 the care and pride their fond parents bestow upon them. 



727 a. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. — Sitta 

 carolinensis aculeata. 



Family : The Nuthatches and Tits. 



Length: 5.00-6.10. 



Adult Male : Top of head and nape blue-black ; sides of head and under 



parts white ; back bluish slate-color ; wings and tail marked with 



black and white. 

 Adult Female : Top of head bluish gray ; otherwise like male. 

 Geographical Distribution: Western North America east through the 



Rockies, south to Mexico. 

 California Breeding Range : Transition zone, except in humid coast belt. 

 Breeding Season : April and May. 

 Nest: In natural cavities of oak trees or old woodpecker holes; lined 



with moss, short hair, and feathers, sometimes grass. 

 Eggs : 5 to 7 ; buffy white, thinly speckled with rusty and purple. 



Size 0.74 X 0.53. 



Part way up the mountain-sides, on the clearings 

 sparsely covered with large oak trees and surrounded by 



