106 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



these studies Professor Sanderson reaches the conclusion that 

 this species is " either absolutely neutral or of comparatively 

 small economic importance," — a conclusion which, it seems 

 to us, is by no means warranted by his results. During the 

 spring, he writes, " Hymenoptera were found in considerable 

 numbers, all being beneficial." Probably it is on this account 

 that the usefulness of the birds is doubted. But we believe, 

 as indicated in Chapter VI., that investigators err in saying 

 that all parasitic insects are beneficial. 



The nest of this bird is built in a hole in a tree, the cavity 

 being sometimes excavated by the nuthatch and sometimes 

 by another bird or a falling limb. The rapid destruction of 

 forests and the thinning out of dead trees in orchards and 

 woodlands must reduce the available nesting sites and thus 

 tend to lessen the numbers of the nuthatches. There is 

 some reason for supposing that if suitable artificial nesting 

 places were provided in orchards these birds would breed in 

 them. It is an experiment well worth trying. 



The Red-breasted or Canada Nuthatch is much rarer than 

 the last-named species in many parts of the United States, 

 although the two birds seem to be very similar in their feed- 

 ing habits. It breeds in holes and stumps, and feeds on 

 beetles, ants, and other small insects. In Nebraska it has 

 been seen eating young grasshoppers. 



THE TITMICE. 



The titmice, or chickadees, which with the nuthatches and 

 wren-tits form the family Paridse, are represented in North 

 America by nearly a score of species and varieties, the great 

 majority of which, however, are rare or only locally distrib- 

 uted. The common Chickadee, or Black-capped Titmouse, is 

 much the most familiar species in the Eastern States, remain- 

 ing with us throughout the year. It takes a great variety 

 of food, gleaning through the winter from the bark and 

 twigs of both deciduous and evergreen trees, and in summer 



