SITTA. 559 
Gxnus SITTA Linnaus. (Page 558, pl. CXXIL, fig. 7.) 
Species. 
Common Cuaracters.—Above plain bluish gray, the top of the head different 
(black, dusky grayish, olive-gray, or brownish) ; tail-feathers (except middle pair) 
tipped with white, the subterminal portion black; lower parts chiefly plain 
whitish, rusty, or dull buffy. Vest in holes of trees or stumps, composed of soft 
‘felted materials, feathers, etc. Eggs 5-8, white or creamy white, speckled with 
reddish brown. 
a’, Top of head glossy black in males, dark grayish in females. 
b'. Wing more than 3.30; sides of head entirely white, to above the eye; lower 
parts white, the lower tail-coverts spotted with chestnut-rufous; tertials 
marked with black. 
c. Tertials light bluish gray, with large and sharply defined oblong 
blotches of black, that on outer web of third feather with a rounded 
terminal outline; white on side of neck tinged with grayish; length 
5.25-6.15, wing 3.50-3.75 (8.60), tail 1.95-2.20 (2.05), culmen (from 
extreme base) .80-.90 (.84), bill from nostril .50-.60 (.53), greatest 
depth of bill .12-.15 (.14), tarsus .72-.75. Eggs .72 x..55. Hab. 
Eastern United States and British Provinces. 
(92.) 427. S. carolinensis Lata. White-breasted Nuthatch. 
ce. Tertials dark or dull bluish gray, the black markings narrower and 
less sharply defined, that on outer web of third feather pointed 
posteriorly ; back darker plumbeous; white on side of neck very 
pure, more sharply contrasted with black of nape; bill usually 
longer and more slender, the culmen straighter; length 5.00-6.10, 
wing 3.35-3.75 (3.54), tail 1.90-2.20 (2.05), culmen .80-.95 (.90), bill 
from nostril .50-.62 (.58), greatest depth of bill .12-.15 (.13), tarsus 
70-75 (0.71). Eggs .71 xX 54. Hab. Western United States, east to, 
and including, Rocky Mountains, south into mountainous districts 
of Mexico. 
727a. S. carolinensis aculeata (Cass.). Slender-billed Nuthatch. 
B. Wing less than 3.00; side of head with a broad black stripe, separated from 
the black (male) or dark grayish (female) of crown and nape by a broad 
white superciliary stripe; lower parts (except throat) light rusty or 
ochraceous; tertials plain gray ; length 4.12-4.75, wing 2.60-2.85, culmen 
about .60. Eggs 59x 46. Hab. Whole of North America, breeding 
chiefly north of the United States, except in western mountainous dis- 
tricts; eastern United States chiefly in winter. 
728. S. canadensis Linn. Red-breasted Nuthatch. 
a, Top of head (down to eyes and ear-coverts) brown or olive-grayish, bordered 
below by a darker loral and postocular streak; nape with more or less 
of a whitish spot; no superciliary stripe ; sexes alike. 
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