in the Rocky Mountain district
he is an abundant species, his range east and west being from the
plains to the Pacific coast, and north and south from the Canadian
boundary to the mountains of Mexico. Swinging and gliding about among
the pines, performing the same antics as his eastern kinsmen, he utters
a cheery whistle, that may be translated, "Whit, whit, whit." His
movements are often so rapid that he is difficult to follow with the
eye as he flits from one tree to another or dashes amid the branches.
He scarcely remains quiet long enough for you to note his markings and
settle his identity, but once you are sure of him, you will never
mistake him for another bird.

In Colorado there is little of a migratory movement even up and down
the mountains among these interesting birdlets. In the winter a few
descend from the heights and dwell on the plains, where the weather is
not so rigorous. On the approach of spring they again hie up into the
mountains, spending the summer there and rearing their pretty bairns.
However, the majority of them remain in the mountains all winter,
braving the bitterest and fiercest storms, often at an altitude of
8,000 feet. Their breeding range is from 6,000 to 10,000 feet, the
latter elevation being only a little below the timber line.

In spite of his unique and interesting habits, the poets have scarcely
begun to chant the praises of the American nuthatch. One of the best
tributes I have been able to find is from the pen of Edith Thomas, who
apostrophizes our bird in this way:

"Shrewd little haunter of woods all gray,
Whom I meet on my walk of a winter day,
You're busy inspecting each cranny and hole
In the ragged bark of yon hickory bole;
You intent on your task, and I on the law
Of your wonderful head and gymnastic claw!

"The woodpecker well may despair of this feat--
Only the fly with you can compete!
So much is clear; but I fain would know
How you can so reckless and fearless go,
Head upward, head downward, all one to you,
Zenith and nadir the same to your view."

We have now described the American nuthatch quartette, and will turn to
other fields no less inviting, albeit more remote. The nuthatch of
central Europe, scientifically known as _Sitta caesia_, is closely
related to our American forms, resembling them in many of his habits.
In studying the literature of the transatlantic species, we at once
stumble upon the reason for calling th