RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 385 
the common fowls, entering the barn, examining its beams and 
rafters, he seems to leave no means untried to secure a 
subsistence. 
This species is doubtless a resident in Ontario and New Eng- 
land, becoming more abundant during the winter months ; but in 
the Maritime Provinces it is only a summer visitor. 
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. 
SlTTA CANADENSIS. 
Char. Above, ashy blue ; top and side of head black ; broad stripe 
of white over the eyes ; wings blackish, with ashy and white markings ; 
outer tail-feathers black and white ; beneath, reddish brown, — paler in 
the female ; chin white ; bill long and acute. Length 414 inches. 
Nest. In open woodland ; an e.xcavation in a decayed stub, lined with 
grass and roots, — sometimes with feathers. Often the entrance is sur- 
rounded with fir balsam. 
Eggs. 4-6 ; white with pale roseate tint and thickly spotted with brown 
and lilac; 0.60 X O.50. 
The habits of these smaller birds are almost similar to the 
preceding ; they have, however, a predilection for pine forests, 
feeding much on the oily seeds of these evergreens. In these 
barren solitudes they are almost certain to be found in busy 
employment, associating in pairs with the Chickadees and 
smaller Woodpeckers, the whole forming a hungry, active, and 
noisy group, skipping from tree to tree with petulant chatter, 
probing and rattling the dead or leafless branches, pry ing in 
every posture for their scanty food, and, like a horde of Tar- 
tars, proceed through the forest and leisurely overrun the whole 
of the continent to the very confines of the tropics, retiring 
north in the same manner with the advance of the spring. 
The notes of this species of Nuthatch, though similar, are 
sharper than those of the preceding, resembling day day dait, 
and sounding almost like a child’s trumpet. Its motions are 
also quicker. They cling to the bark of the tree and roost 
commonly with the head downwards, in the manner of then- 
whole tribe. 
VOL. I. — 25 
