180 
THE RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. 
the Brown-headed species, the male being more prodigal of noise than the 
female, which, however, now and then answers to his call. 
It is pleasant to see such a pair leading their offspring through the tops 
of the tall trees of our great pine forests of the north, accompanied by a train 
of small Woodpeckers and Creepers, all bent on the same object, that of 
procuring food. Gaily they move from tree to tree, each emitting its 
peculiar note, and all evincing the greatest sociality. If danger is apparent, 
dead silence takes place, but as soon as their fear is removed, they become 
as clamorous and lively as before. 
The flight of the Red-bellied Nuthatch is seldom protracted farther than 
from tree to tree ; and in this manner a certain number go south at the 
approach of winter, some at this season venturing as far as South Carolina, 
although they are never seen in the maritime districts of that State. They 
are plentiful during summer in the Pocano mountains of Pennsylvania, and 
many breed there. Those which remain in our northern States during 
winter, now and then show themselves in the orchards and farm-yards 
alighting about the eaves of the out-houses, to seek for food. 
While at sea, on one of my migrations from Europe to America, and at a 
distance of 300 miles from land, I saw one of these birds come on board one 
evening, during a severe gale. It alighted on the rigging, and proceeded at 
once to search for food in its usual manner. It was caught and brought to 
me ; but although I gave it flies and some bits of cheese, it refused to touch 
them, generally sitting in the bottom of the cage with its head under its 
wing, and it died in the course of the night. On opening it, I could not 
perceive a particle of food in its stomach, so that its sudden death was 
probably occasioned by inanition and fatigue. 
Although this species was not seen by Dr. Richardson in the Fur 
Counti'ies, it is an inhabitant of the Columbia river district, where it was 
found by Mr. Townsend. 
Male, 45, 8. 
From Maryland to Nova Scotia. Common. One seen in Labrador. 
Columbia river. Resident. 
Red-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. i. p. 40. 
Sitta canadensis, Bonap. Syn., p. 96. 
Red-bellied Nuthatch, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 583. 
Red-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 24 ; vol. v. 
p. 474. 
Adult Male. 
Bill straight, of moderate length, very hard, conico-subulate, a little 
compressed, more or less wedge-shaped at the tip; upper mandible with the 
