SINGING BIRDS. 
386 
This species has a more extended range than cdToltnctisis^ being 
found farther west and farther north. It breeds in northern New 
Eno-land and northward to about 50°. It occurs sparingly in winter 
in New Brunswick. A good account of its nesting habits, written 
by Mr. Manly Hardy, appeared in the Bulletin of the Nuttall Club 
for October, 1878. 
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. 
Sm'A PUSILLA. 
Char Above, ashy blue ; top of head and neck brown ; white spot on 
back of neck; wings black and bluish; middle tail-feathers like back, 
others black tipped with bluish; beneath, dull brownish white tinged 
with pale ash behind; throat white. Bill long, slender, and acute. 
Length to 4X “iches. _ _ „ j , r .1 vn 
Nest. In open woodland; an excavation in a dead stump, lined with 
grass, leaves, and feathers. , , , 
Ei;gs. 4-6 ; white, thickly marked with fine spots of reddish brown and 
pale lilac ; 0.60 X 0.50. 
This small species is seldom seen to the north of the State 
of Virginia. In the Southern States it is rather common, and 
is also met with in the island of Jamaica. Like the last, which 
it resembles in manners, it is very fond of pine-trees, and 
utters a similar note, but more shrill and chirping. Its food, 
besides the seeds of the pine, is usually the insects which infest 
the forest trees. In winter families of this species of 8 or 10 
individuals may be seen busily hunting in company, and keep- 
ing up a perpetual and monotonous screeping. It is less 
suspicious than most other sylvan birds, sometimes descending 
down the trunk of a tree watching the motions of the by- 
stander ; and if the intrusion happens to be near the nest, or 
while engaged in digging it out, the little harmless mechanic 
utters a sort of complaining note, and very unwillingly relin- 
quishes his employment, which is instantly renewed on the 
removal of the observer. 
This species is restricted to the Southern and Gulf States, rarely 
wandering north of Virginia and Maryland: but examples have 
been taken in Missouri, Ohio, and Michigan. 
