Dusky, Gray, and Slate-colored 
woods of the north, where they have nested and moulted during 
the summer ; but not until frost has sharpened the air are large 
numbers of them seen. Rejoicing in winter, they nevertheless 
do not revel in the deep and fierce arctic blasts, as the snowflakes 
do, but take good care to avoid the open pastures before the hard 
storms overtake them. 
Early in the spring their song is sometimes heard before they 
leave us to woo and to nest in the north. Mr. Bicknell describes 
it as “a crisp call-note, a simple trill, and a faint, whispered 
warble, usually much broken, but not without sweetness.” 
White-breasted Nuthatch 
(Sitta carolinensis) Nuthatch family 
Called also: TREE-MOUSE; DEVIL DOWNHEAD 
Length — 5. 5 to 6 inches. A trifle smaller than the English sparrow. 
Male and Female — Upper parts slate-color. Top of head and nape 
black. Wings dark slate, edged with black, that fades to 
brown. Tail feathers brownish black, with white bars. 
Sides of head and underneath white, shading to pale reddish 
under the tail. (Female’s head leaden.) Body flat and com- 
pact. Bill longer than head. 
Range — British provinces to Mexico. Eastern United States. 
Migrations — October. April. Common resident. Most promi- 
nent in winter. 
‘ ‘ Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray, 
Whom 1 meet on my walk of a winter day — 
You’re busy inspecting each cranny and hole 
In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole ; 
You intent on your task, and I on the law 
Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw ! 
The woodpecker well may despair of this feat— 
Only the fly with you can compete ! 
So much is clear ; but I fain would know 
How you can so reckless and fearless go, 
Head upward, head downward, all one to you, 
Zenith and nadir the same in your view? ” 
— Edith M. Thomas. 
Could a dozen lines well contain a fuller description or more 
apt characterization of a bird than these “To a Nuthatch ” ? 
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