341 
apparently equal ease. Though industrious little workers they enjoy life in 
their own quiet way, being neither so absorbed in their never-ending task 
of keeping the tree trunks free from insects as their friend and oft-time 
companion, the Brown Creeper, nor so light-hearted and mercurial as the 
irrepressible Chickadees. They take time occasionally to court, play, chase 
each other merrily about, and to sing a little spring song, to show that they 
are not overcome by their responsibilities. Their usual note is a hoarse 
“Quank-quank” and they are often found with small groups of Chickadees 
and Creepers; they do their share in holding the little company together 
with their frequent conversational remarks. 
Economic Status. One of the most useful birds. Although it pays 
much attention to forest trees it often comes to orchard and shade trees 
and as a member of the above-mentioned company, which examines with 
microscopic eyes every part of the winter tree trunks for insects, it con- 
sumes great quantities of pests in adult, egg, or larval stages. 
728. Red-breasted Nuthatch, little qttank. Sitta canadensis. L, 4*62. A 
smaller Nuthatch than the white-breasted Carolina. Above, slaty-blue with shiny black 
crown and hindneck, duller on females. Below, 
all rusty ochre. Cheeks white, a sharp black 
line through eye expanding on upper shoulders, 
and a conspicuous white eyebrow streak (Figure 
313). Juveniles with the Austy ochre below 
reduced. 
Distinctions. Small size, general ruddy 
colour beneath, the black bar through eye, 
and a conspicuous white eyebrow streak. 
Field Marks. As above. 
Nesting. In hole in tree or stump, nest of 
grasses or moss. 
Distribution. North America. In Canada, 
across the Dominion north to Great Slave lake. 
Figure 313 
Red-breasted Nuthatch; natural size. 
A slightly more active bird than the preceding, and more inclined to 
forage about the extreme tips of branches and to cling there upside down 
very much like Crossbills. This is the commoner Nuthatch in the prairie 
sections. 
730. Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta vygmaea. L, 4. The smal’est of our Nuthatches. 
Above, slaty-blue changing to greyish brown or olive-grey on crown. Sometimes a dull 
white cloud on nape. Below, creamy white, 
clouded with light grey on flanks. Cheeks white, 
and a dark bar through eye, blending into crown 
without any eyebrow streak (Figure 314). 
Distinctions. Small size, almost clear white 
below, and greyish brown or slightly olive crown 
continuous with dark eye-bar. 
Field Marks. As above. 
Nesting. In crevices in bark or holes in stubs, 
lined with wool, feathers, and other soft materials. 
Distribution. Western United States and 
Mexico. In Canada, the southern interior valleys 
of British Columbia, confined to the region of 
Yellow Pine Pinus ponderosa. 
A very characteristic bird of its habitat. As agile and lively as the 
Red-breasted Nuthatch and, going in flocks, when too high or distant to 
show details, they may be taken for Crossbills or Pine Siskins. The notes 
are only faint chippings, quite unlike the hoarse “quanking” that is so char- 
acteristic of the other Nuthatches. 
