336 THE BIRDS 
FAMILY SITTIDAE.—NUTHATCHES. 
GENUs SITTA. 
[727]. Sitta carolinensis carolinensis (Latham). 
Whate-breasted Nuthatch. 
Raner.—North America east of the Plains. Breeds 
in Canadian, Transition, and Upper Austral zones from 
northern Minnesota, central Ontario, southern Quebec, 
and Newfoundland south to the northern parts of the Gulf 
States; casual in Keewatin. 
This little fellow, like the former species, is a most 
active bird in his search for food, though his larger size 
and white underparts and slaty back make him much 
more conspicuous. Nor are they as fond of the pine trees 
as the Brown Creeper; more often have I seen them in 
the numerous varieties of our oaks than other trees. They 
become quite common in our Tidewater region during 
April (16th), and again in October, during migrations, 
though some few remain throughout the winter. My 
father found them common at Massanetta, Goshen, and 
Hot Springs, but raising only a single brood during the 
season. Professor Smyth also reports them as a common 
breeding bird at Blacksburg, some remaining throughout 
the winter. They build their nests in natural cavities of 
trees, or deserted holes of the woodpeckers (preferably 
that of the Downy), of fine strips of bark fiber, lined with 
fur or hair. The eggs number five to seven, six being the 
general rule, a glossy creamy-white ground, profusely 
specked with reddish-brown. Size, .76x.58. Fresh eggs 
May ist. They do not breed in our Tidewater region, 
