t invariably
coat the tree below the opening with pitch, for what purpose is unknown.
They lay from four to six white eggs, numerously spotted with reddish
brown; size, .60 x .50. Data.--Upton, Maine, June 21, 1898. Nest in hole
of dead birch stub, 20 feet from the ground; made of strips of bark and
a few feathers. 5 eggs.

729. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. _Sitta pusilla._

Range.--South Atlantic and Gulf States.

This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their
habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in cavities
at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground. That they
sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced by the data
accompanying this egg. They lay from four to seven eggs, white with
profuse markings of reddish brown; size .60 x .48. Data.--St. Mary's,
Ga. Nest situated under the bark of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from
the ground; made of fine strips of bark.

730. PYGMY NUTHATCH. _Sitta pygmaea pygmaea._

Range.--North America west of the Rockies, breeding from Mexico north to
British Columbia. Resident throughout its range.

This species has an olive gray crown bordered by dusky, the back is ashy
blue and the underparts soiled white or rusty. They are common in
mountains of western United States, nesting in holes in trees the same
as the other species of Nuthatches. They lay from five to nine eggs
which are white, speckled thickly with reddish brown; size .60 x .50.
Data.--Huachuca Mts., Arizona, May 25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches
deep) in dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground; composed of a
mass of vegetable down; altitude 9000 feet.

[Illustration 434: Red-breasted Nuthatch.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Brown-headed Nuthatch.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 433

730a. WHITE-NAPED NUTHATCH. _Sitta pygmaea leuconucha._

Range.--Lower California.

Like the last but grayer above and white below. Its habits and eggs are
the same as those of the Pygmy Nuthatch.

731. TUFTED TITMOUSE. _Baeolophus bicolor_.

Range.--Eastern United States, resident and breeding from the Gulf north
to New York and Illinois.

This species has a grayish crest and upper parts, and is white beneath
with brownish sides and black forehead. These common and noisy birds
nest in natural cavities in trees or in holes deserted by Woodpeckers;
they may be found at any elevation, from