Page:Bird-lore Vol 04.djvu/179

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Bird- Lore

zippmrrmte and Habit5.—The Creeper's distinguishing trait is made

known by its name.

In ascending trees it uses the tail. as do the Wood-

peckers, for a prop or support; and we have here, therefore. an interesting instance of the development of similar structure. among birds distantly re-

1mm] 3m)

ily I’mitlw.

'HTM IC E AND NUTHATCIIES,

we.).

Tum-d Tilmousr

lated, as a result of similar habit.

Song. — The Brown Creeper's lisual n0_[e during the winter is a faint Jen), To the birds inhabit— ing Bdaine is attributed a song ‘ ex- quisitely pure and tender.‘ but the song of those I heard in Mexiro was a decidedly mediocre, squeaky performance.

TITMICE AND NUT- Par-Mr.

FAMILY 16. HATL‘HES.

Rallgt',—‘AS is the case with most northern families of birds, the Paridae have representatives in both the New and Old Worlds. The Titmice number some 75 species. of which 19 are American, 7 of these being found north of lVIexico and four of them east of the Mississippi.

The Nuthatches number some 20 species, only four of which are American. all of these being found from Mexico northward and three of them east of the Missis- sippi.

Season. — Our and Nuihatches are. as a rule, only slightly but regularly migratory. The Red-breasted Nuthatch, how- ever. is an exception, coming to us more or less irregularly from the north early in September and re- maining until April or May.

Galen—Gray above and white below is the prevailing type of col< oration in this family; a color-

Titmice