Subfamily SITTINÆ.
The characters of the Sittinæ are expressed with sufficient detail on [page 86]. The section is represented in America by a single genus, confined mainly to the northern portion.
Sitta, Linnæus, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Agassiz.)
Sitta carolinensis.
1761 ♀
Gen. Char. Bill subulate, acutely pointed, compressed, about as long as the head; culmen and commissure nearly straight; gonys convex and ascending; nostrils covered by a tuft of bristles directed forward. Tarsi stout, scutellate, about equal to the middle toe, much shorter than the hinder, the claw of which is half the total length. Outer lateral toe much longer than inner, and nearly equal to the middle. Tail very short, broad, and nearly even; the feathers soft and truncate. Wings reaching nearly to the end of the tail, long and acute, the first primary one third of (or less) the third, or longest. Iris brown. Nest in holes of trees. Eggs white, spotted with reddish.
The North American species may be arranged as follows:—
A. Crown black.
S. carolinensis. Belly white; no black stripe through eye.