NUTIIATCHES AND TITS. 389

white over the eye; rest of upper parts bluish gray; outer tail-feathers black, tipped with grayish, middle ones bluish gray ; under parts grayish white. L., 4'50: W., 2-60; ’I‘., 1'25; B., '52.

Range—South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to Virginia; accidentally to Missouri and New York.

Nest, of feathers, grasses, ete., generally near the ground, in a hole in a tree or stump. Eggs, five to six, white or creamy white, heavily spotted or blotehed with cinnamon- or olive-brown, '56 x '46.

This little Nuthatch, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, and Pine Warbler, are characteristic birds of the great pineries in our Southern States. Frequently they are found associated. The Woodpeckers generally keep to the tree tops, the Warblers live on or near the ground, while the Nuthatches scramble actively about from the base of the trunk to the terminal twigs. The only note I have heard them utter is a conversational tnee, tnee. They are talkative sprites, and, like a group of school children, each one chatters away without paying the slightest attention to what his companions are Saying.

731. Pal-us bicolor (Liam). TUFTED TITMOUSE. AIL—Forehead black; rest of the upper parts, wings, and tail gray; under parts whitish; sides washed with rufous; a conspicu- ous crest. L., 600; W., 310; T., 270; B., 42.

Range—Eastern United States; breeds from the Gulf States to southern Iowa and northern New Jersey; resi- dent throughout'its breeding range.

Washington, very common P. B., more so in winter.

Nest, of leaves, moss, strips of bark, feathers, etc., in Woodpeckcrs’ deserted holes, stumps, etc. Egys, five to eight, white or creamy whitc,.rather coarsely and evenly marked with ruf'ous-brown, FIG. 114.—Tufteleitmouse. (Natural '71 x -55. me"

The Tufted Titmouse is a bird of very general distribution in wood- lands, where its presence is always made known by its notes. Its com- mon call is a loud, clearly whistled peto, peto, peto, [2610, which may be repeated by the same individual for hours at a time. Occasionally the key is changed, and at first the notes are decidedly pleasing, but the bird finally wearies one by its monotonous repetition.

It utters also other whistled calls, and a de-de-de-de, much like the notes of the Chickadee, though somewhat louder and hoarser.‘

The Tufted Tit is not a shy bird and may be approached with ease. Its conspicuous crest is an excellent field mark.