GSS MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
311. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis Linn. (728) 
Synonyms: Red-bellied Nuthatch, Canada Nuthatch, Sapsucker.—Sitta varia, Wils., 
1808.—Sitta stulta, Vieill., 1819.—Sitta canadensis of most other authors. 
Plate LXVIII. 
A smaller edition of its white-breasted relative, but usually known by 
the light rusty-brown breast and belly and the sharp black stripe (slate 
color in the female) across the side of the head, with a white stripe above it. 
Distribution.—North America at large, breeding from northern New 
England, northern New York, and northern Michigan northward, and 
southward in the Alleghanies, Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevadas; 
in winter, south to about the southern border of the United States. 
Nearly all observers agree that this species is decidedly less common in 
Michigan than the White-bellied Nuthatch, the exceptions being those 
located in the higher parts of the Lower Peninsula and in a part of the 
Upper Peninsula. Like the preceding species, the Red-belly is found 
throughout the year in all parts of the state, but in greatly reduced numbers 
during the winter. A marked migration takes place, the birds passing 
southward, sometimes in large numbers, during the latter part of August 
and the first half of September, and a similar but less marked northward 
migration occurs late in April or early in May. 
Everywhere in the northern part of the state the bird is a common 
summer resident in suitable localities, namely in evergreen (particularly 
hemlock) forests or tamarack swamps, while in the southern half of the 
Lower Peninsula the bird is entirely absent in summer, or at most occurs 
only in scattered pairs in the most favored localities. 
According to Jason E. Nichols of Lansing the bird formerly nested in 
this vicinity, but, although it is common now during autumn, winter and 
spring, it has not been noted here in summer during the past seventeen 
years. Mr. B. H. Swales states that it appears at Detroit usually in early 
September, sometimes during the latter part of August, remaining until 
November, and becomes abundant again in early March, remaining until 
about the 10th of May. He also says that. it is occasionally seen in winter. 
Dr. Gibbs states that it is a species which ‘“‘ wanders about after its nesting 
duties are over, and may be found from September to December, and again 
from March 15 to May 1, in any part of the state, but in no case with 
certainty.” 
The fact that its numbers vary greatly in different years has been noted 
by numerous observers, and the species appears to be one of the most vari- 
able in numbers of any bird which we have. Occasionally it is really num- 
erous for a short time in the fall, while in other years scarcely an individual 
will be seen, and an entire winter may pass without a single one being 
noted. On the other hand, a few linger all winter even at the far north. 
Mr. F. H. Chapin reports it a common winter resident in Mackinac, Alger 
and Luce counties, and Mr. Wilbur H. Grant recorded it at Houghton, 
Mich., in November 1904, and again the last week of January, and on Feb- 
ruary 26, 1905, at the same place. Dr. Gibbs found it only a migrant in 
Kalamazoo and Ottawa counties, but a summer resident in Montcalm 
and Wexford counties. The records from the lighthouses include no 
spring specimens, but Red-bellied Nuthatches were killed on Spectacle 
