276 



lar. They indicate that the height of migration in the upper half of 

 the Mississippi Valley was about October 1. 



Mr. Lloyd states that in western Texas it is a "tolerably common 

 winter visitor." 



727. Sitta carolinensis Lath. [51.] White-bellied Nuthatch. 



This non-migratory species belongs more particularly to the eastern 

 two-thirds of the Mississippi Valley. The 97th meridian very nearly 

 bounds its western range, and beyond this line it is only met with as a 

 straggler. It has been found in western Kansas, and was reported 

 from San Angelo, Tex., as "resident but rare." Only a few were seen 

 at Caddo, Ind. Ter. ? and fewer still at Gainesville, Tex. 



727a. Sitta carolinensis aculeata (Cass.). [51a.] Slender-billed Nuthatch. 



This western form of the White-bellied Nuthatch is partially migra- 

 tory. Mr. Seton (now Thompson) gave it as "a rather rare summer 

 resident in western Manitoba." It occurs in the western part of our 

 district, has been found in the timbered tracts of eastern Nebraska, and 

 is a rare resident at Vermillion, in southeastern Dakota. 



Mr. Lloyd found it to be the prevailing form at Fort Davis, Tex., 

 while at San Angelo, Tex., only the eastern form was noted. 



728. Sitta canadensis Linn. [52.] Bed-bellied Nuthatch. 



This is a truly migratory species, but our knowledge of its move- 

 ments lacks precision. In the winter-time it is found throughout the 

 district from the Gulf of Mexico to Minnesota. In summer the bulk 

 passes beyond our northern border. It is rare in western Manitoba- 

 It was reported in summer from Polo, in northern Illinois; and at New- 

 ton, in central Iowa, it was recorded as a resident.* 



The few notes contributed upon its movements in the spring of 1884 

 indicate that its time of migration in the middle districts (between lati- 

 tude 39° and latitude 42°) was during the last week in April and the 

 first week in May. 



In the spring of 1885 the first Bed-bellied Nuthatch was reported 

 from Paris, 111., May 1. At La Porte City, Iowa, one was seen April 19. 



729. Sitta pusilla Lath. [53.] Brown-headed Nuthatch. 



A bird of the southern portion of the Mississippi Valley and eastward; 

 resident throughout its range. The most northern record in 1884 came 

 from Newport, Ark. (latitude 35° 36'), but it has been found by Mr. 

 Widmann as an accidental visitor at Saint Louis, and has been recorded 

 from Ohio. 



730. Sitta pygmaea Vig. [54. ] Bijgmy Nuthatch. 



An inhabitant of the western United States and the mountainous 

 districts of Mexico. According to Professor A^ughey it has been found 

 once in northern Nebraska, where it must be a rare straggler. 



* I am of opinion that these records need verification. — C. H. M. 



