182 THE BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 



are several octaves above those of the White-bellied Nuthatch, more shrill, 

 and at least one and a half above those of its northern cousin, the Red- 

 bellied. 



Although fond of pine-trees and pine-barrens, it does not confine itself to 

 these, but may not unfrequently be seen pursuing its avocations on lower 

 trees and on fences, mounting, descending, turning in every imaginable 

 position, and with a quickness of motion so much greater than that of most 

 other birds as to render it extremely difficult to shoot at. It examines every 

 hole and cranny of the bark of trees, as well as their leaves and twigs, on 

 which it finds abundance of food at all seasons. During the breeding period 

 they move in pairs, and are constantly chattering. Their notes resemble 

 the syllables deut, dent, dend, dend, and although not musical are not 

 disagreeable, particularly when heard in the woods in which they usually 

 reside, and where at that season a mournful silence intimates the wildness of 

 the place. 



When the young have left the nest they continue together, and move from 

 tree to tree with the activity of their parents, who join them when the 

 succeeding broods are able to find food for themselves. Towards winter 

 they associate with the smaller species of Woodpeckers, the Brown Creeper, 

 and the Southern Black-headed Tit. These birds pursue their avocations 

 with so much cheerfulness that the woods echo to their notes. I have seen a 

 congregation of these Nuthatches, amounting to fifty or more, thus per- 

 ambulating the Floridas in the months of November and December. In 

 those districts they pair in the beginning of February, and have eggs about 

 the middle of that month, while in South Carolina they breed about a month 

 later. 



The nest is usually excavated by the birds themselves, in the dead portion 

 of a low stump or sapling, sometimes only a few feet from the ground, but 

 not unfrequently so high as thirty or forty feet. The little creatures work 

 in concert, with great earnestness, for several days, until the hole, which is 

 round, and not larger at its entrance than the body of the bird, is dug ten or 

 twelve inches deep, and widening at the bottom. The eggs are laid on the 

 bare wood; they are from four to six, white, with reddish dots, and scarcely 

 larger than those of the Humming-bird. They frequently raise three broods 

 in the season, but more commonly two. 



Extremely careless in the presence of man, who indeed seldom molests 

 them, they often peep at him when at the distance of only a few feet; yet 

 when apprehensive of danger, they instantly fly off or ascend the tree, and 

 are out of sight in a moment. 



Their flight is similar to that of the other species, and like them they 

 frequently utter their notes while on the wing. Now and then they are 



