ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
487 
It seems to break open acorns and chestnuts for the included insects (And.). 
Prof. Forbes records finding in the stomachs of four birds of this siiocies evi 
deuce that it eats many beetles, Nitiduliddae, Cctoniidae and lady-bugs. One 
had eaten corn. 
17. SiTTA Canadensis, Linn. RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH. Group 1. 
Class a. 
This species, so far as I know it personally, is only a migrant of a somewhat 
meagre and irregular abundance. A few, however, are said to nest near 
Racine, and a greater number in the northern portion of the state. Mr. Nelson 
mentions it as a rare summer resident in Northeastern Illinois. It was not ob¬ 
served in the woods of Oconto county during the month of August, 1875, noi 
during a trip of a week, from Worcester to Wisconsin Valley Junction, the last 
of July, 1876. In October of 1877, it was observed several times in the woods 
along the Flambeau river. I have taken but four specimens September 12, 
1876,— and excej)! those mentioned above, these are the only ones which I have 
observed. It is said to build its nest in low dead stumps, seldom more than four 
feet from the ground. Mi*. Rice ^ is said to have observed a pair feeding theii 
unfledged young the last of April, 1874, in an excavation in a tree, standing on 
one of the principal streets of the town of Evanston. The similaiity, in habits 
and haunts, of this species to its more familiar congener, renders it probable 
that it does a similar, though less important work. Its more northern habitat 
suggests that it can hardly be of much service to us except during its 
migrations. 
Food: The four specimens examined had in their stomachs fifteen beetles, 
three ants and six other small insects. 
Insects and their larvse and fine seeds (Wils.). Insects and the seeds of ever¬ 
greens (De Kay). Insects and their larvae which are caught in the crevices of 
bark and under it (Aud.). 
Family CERTHIIHiE: Creepers. 
Fig. 111. 
Brown Creeper {Certhia familiaris). After Baircl. Brewer and Ridgway. 
»Birds of Northeastern Illinois, by E. W. Nelson. 
