Bethel, Maine.
1907.
Jan'y 19
  Canada Nuthatches are common in the Glen Woods
just at present, associating with Chickadees (of both species)
and with Golden-crested Kinglets. I seldom find more
than two of the Nuthatches together, however, they were
very noisy this forenoon (10-11.30). Twice I heard two
performing what seemed to an antiphonal duet, one bird
uttering the usual nasal whining, the other a kec-kec-kec
etc. given rapidly and practically without cessation for
minutes at a time and sounding at a distance very like
the barking of a red Squirrel. These kec notes, however,
are really softer and more evenly continuous than all
the coughing ones of the Squirrel as I had ample opportunity
for determining this morning by actual comparison. I watched
one of the Nuthatches as it whined almost incessantly
for several minutes in response to the barking of another
concealed not far off in dense evergreen foliage. The bird I
saw was perched on the topmost spine of a tall living balsam
where it sat rather erect turning its head from side to
side, jerking its tail and flirting its wings, with
great animation. The duets just described are antiphonal
in the sense that one bird invariably used a distinctly
different set of notes from those given by the other. Both
birds, however, were usually calling at the same time.
They seemed very excited and eager. The Chickadees
with them showed no unusual excitement.
Two Canada Nuthatches engage in a vocal duet