180 THE RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 



the Brown-headed species, the male being more prodigal of noise than the 

 female, which, however, now and then answers to his call. 



It is pleasant to see such a pair leading their offspring through the tops of 

 the tall trees of our great pine forests of the north, accompanied by a train of 

 small Woodpeckers and Creepers, all bent on the same object, that of 

 procuring food. Gaily they move from tree to tree, each emitting its 

 peculiar note, and all evincing the greatest sociality. If danger is apparent, 

 dead silence takes place, but as soon as their fear is removed, they become 

 as clamorous and lively as before. 



The flight of the Red-bellied Nuthatch is seldom protracted farther than 

 from tree to tree; and in this manner a certain number go south at the 

 approach of winter, some at this season venturing as far as South Carolina, 

 although they are never seen in the maritime districts of that State. They 

 are plentiful during summer in the Pocano mountains of Pennsylvania, and 

 many breed there. Those which remain in our northern States during 

 winter, now and then shew themselves in the orchards and farm-yards, 

 alighting about the eaves of the out-houses, to seek for food. 



While at sea, on one of my migrations from Europe to America, and at a 

 distance of 300 miles from land, I saw one of these birds come on board one 

 evening, during a severe gale. It alighted on the rigging, and proceeded at 

 once to search for food in its usual manner. It was caught and brought to 

 me; but although I gave it flies and some bits of cheese, it refused to touch 

 them, generally sitting in the bottom of the cage with its head under its 

 wing, and it died in the course of the night. On opening it, I could not 

 perceive a particle of food in its stomach, so that its sudden death was 

 probably occasioned by inanition and fatigue. 



Although this species was not seen by Dr. Richardson in the Fur 

 Countries, it is an inhabitant of the Columbia river district, where it was 

 found by Mr. Townsend. 



Male, 4\, 8. 



From Maryland to Nova Scotia. Common. One seen in Labrador. 

 Columbia river. Resident. 



Red-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 40. 



Sitta canadensis, Bonap. Syn., p. 96. 



Red-bellied Nuthatch, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 583. 



Red-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 24; vol. v. p. 474. 



Adult Male. 



Bill straight, of moderate length, very hard, conico-subulate, a little 

 compressed, more or less wedge-shaped at the tip; upper mandible with the 



