year, in the vicinity of Carson City, among the pines on the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He noted its great similarity in manners to the carolinensis; at the same time the well-marked difference in the notes did not escape his attention. These notes are much weaker, and are uttered in a finer tone, and some of them are said to be entirely different.
Sitta canadensis, Linn.
RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
Sitta canadensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 177.—Aud. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, pl. cviii.—Ib. Birds Am. IV, pl. ccxlviii.—Reich. Handb. Abh. II, 1853, 152, tab. dxiii, figs. 3561, 3562.—Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 376; Review, 87.—Sclater, Catal. 1861, 15, No. 91.—Cooper, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 54. Sitta varia, Wils. Am. Orn. I, 1808, 40, pl. ii.
Sp. Char. Above ashy-blue. Top of head black; a white line above and a black one through the eye. Chin white; rest of under parts brownish-rusty. Length about 4.50 inches; wing, 2.66. Female with the black of head mixed with ashy; beneath paler, more of a muddy-white.
Hab. Whole United States and British Provinces. North to Lake Winnipeg.
Habits. The common Red-bellied Nuthatch, though nowhere a very abundant species, is found throughout the whole of North America, from Florida to high northern regions, and from ocean to ocean. The Smithsonian Institution possesses specimens from Georgia, Selkirk Settlement, California, and Washington Territory. Mr. Gambel found them quite common in the mountains in the interior of California, in October, roving in company with busy flocks of the Parus montanus.
Dr. Cooper met with them abundantly in Washington Territory, where they preferred the oaks and other deciduous trees, and never frequented the interior of the dense forest. He observed this bird and the Slender-billed Nuthatch, along the 49th parallel, east of the Cascade Mountains, as late as the middle of October. Dr. Suckley also met both birds west of the same mountains.
This Nuthatch was observed by Mr. Ridgway among the aspen groves bordering the streams that flow from the East Humboldt Mountains. In that locality it was common through the month of September, though not abundant. It was again seen in June among the pine-woods of the Wahsatch Mountains, but it was not common.
While a few of these birds are resident of the Northern States, they are, to a considerable extent, of migratory habits. Wilson observed them leaving in large numbers for the Southern States in October, and returning again in April. On the 20th of May, 1867, the writer observed a small flock in Eastern Massachusetts, evidently just arrived from the South. They were apparently fatigued and hungry, and paid no attention to the near presence