226 BIRDS—CERTHIID A. 
It seems difficult to reconcile this with Mr. Brewster’s description of the 
bird in breeding season, unless we suppose the birds to commence build- 
ing before the completion of the vernal moult. This species sometimes 
visits the city, though much less frequently than the White-bellied 
Nuthatch. In the fall they are with us from late in September until the 
first really cold weather, usually the latter part of November, and fre- 
quently accompany the Bluebirds on their southern migration. 
SITTA PUSILLA Lath. 
Brown-headed Nuthatch. 
Sitta pusilla, KIRTLAND, Ohio Geolog. Surv., 1838, 164, 183.—WueEaton, Ohio Agric. Rep., 
for 1860, 365, 375; Reprint, 1861, 7; Food of Birds, ete., Ohio Agric. Rep. for 1874, 562; 
Reprint, 1875, 2 —BAirD, BREW, and Ruipe., N. A. Bircs, i, 1574, 122.—Cousgs, Birds 
of Col. Val., Pt. Ist, 1678, 140. 
Sitta pusilla, LATHAM, Ind. Orn., i, 1790, 263. 
Back, wings and tail, much as in canadensis. Below pale rusty or brownish white. 
Crown, clear hair brown; a distinct whitish spot on nape. Length, 4 or less; wing, 24; 
tail, 14. 
Habitat, South Atlantic and Gulf States. Onio, KirTLAND; Michigan, ATKINS. 
Accidental. The only instance of its occurence in this State, is re- 
corded by Dr. Kirtland, who says, “I once killed a specimen in the north- 
ern part of Ohio.” Dr. H. A. Atkins, of Locke, Ingham county, Michigan, 
writes me that he took one specimen in 1877, in that vicinity. These 
are the only instances where the bird is mentioned as wandering beyond 
its prescribed limits. In breeding habits it resembles the other species. 
It eggs are described as being so completely covered with fine dots as 
to appear “almost of a uniform chocolate or brown color. 
FAMILY CERTHIIDA. CREEPERS. 
Primaries ten. Nostrils exposed. Tail scansorial, with rigid acute feathers. Whole 
bill slender, compressed, acute, decurved, unnotched, unbristled. Outer toe much longer 
than inner. 
Sub family CERTHIIN AX. Typical CREEPERS. 
Tarsus scutellate, shorter than the middle toe and claw, with the entire basal joint 
united to the lateral toes. 
. Genus CERTHIA. Linneeus. 
Tarsus not longer than outer toe. Hind toe longer than the middle; its claw more 
than half the total length. Claws all much curved and very sharp. Bill as long as the 
head. Plumage long and lax. 
