68 NUTHATCH. 



eyes a dusky black streak ; under parts of the body white ; top of the 

 head not reddish, but like the back. 



Inhabits North America, also Jamaica. 



A. — Least Nuthatch, Gen. Syn. Sup. ii. 145. 



Length near five inches, breadth seven, weight five penny- 

 weights. Bill short, black, triangular, with fine hairs ; irides dark 

 blue ; head brown ; inclining to ash-colour ; back and scapulars dusky 

 brown; throat dusky white ; on each side of the breast a broad yellow 

 spot; belly, vent, and thighs tinged with yellow ; lesser wing coverts 

 dull green, the greater inclining to black; quills black, the outer 

 margins greenish, within paler ; the four middle tail feathers black, 

 the others yellowish, the ends for nearly one-third black ; legs black. 



The former of the two last is found in Georgia, and according to 

 Mr. Abbot, chiefly frequents pines, and builds in the holes of old 

 trees ; the nest formed of rotten wood, lined with bits of straw, and 

 pine cotton ; the egg like that of the Black-headed Species, but 

 smaller, the spots more numerous, and darker. The latter I give 

 from the late Mr. Hutchins, who informed me, that it inhabits 

 Hudson's Bay, and there called Keeke min nuc ca ha mauka shish, 

 building in old willows, and laying four eggs, which are hatched in 

 June ; it is migratory, and has obtained the name from being re- 

 markably fond of some particular berries, which it carries to such 

 excess, as to attack other small birds feeding near it. — The term 

 Loggerhead seems misapplied, being by no means so stupid, as has 

 been handed down to us. Chiefly inhabits the Southern States, or 

 at least most abundant there, and often found in company with the 

 Sklit Woodpecker ; climbs well in any direction, and is perpetually 

 making a screaking noise. 



