86 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 



FAMILY CERTHXID^. THE CREEPERS. 



CHARACTERS. Bill slender and arched; hind toe longer than middle toe, the claw 

 lengthened and strongly arched. Tail lengthened, graduated, the feathers stiff and 

 acuminate at tips. 



The above brief diagnosis is sufficient to characterize the family 

 Certhiidce if we exclude from it the European genus Tichodroma, 

 which differs in short, even tail, with feathers broad and rounded 

 at ends, and in other characters. As thus restricted, the family 

 includes only one genus, Certhia, the single North American species 

 of which is quite circumpolar, though modified into more or less 

 distinct geographical races in different parts of its habitat. 



GENUS CERTHIA LINNAEUS. 



Certhia LINN.EUS, Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 112. Type, C. familiaris LINN. 



"GEN. CHAB. Plumage soft and loose. Bill as long as head, not notched, compressed: 

 all its lateral outlines decurved. Nostrils not overhung by feathers, linear, with an in- 

 cumbent thickened scale, as in Troglodytes. No rictal bristles, and the loral and frontal 

 feathers smooth, without bristly shafts. Tarsus scutellate anteriorly, shorter than mid- 

 dle toe, which again is shorter than hind toe. All claws very long, much cuived and 

 compressed; outer lateral toe much the longer; basal joint of middle toe entirely adher- 

 ent to adjacent ones. Wings rather pointed, about equal to the tail, the feathers of which 

 are much pointed, with stiffened shafts. Primaries ten; first less than half the second. 

 Nest in holes of trees; eggs white, sprinkled with reddish." (Hist. N. Am. B.) 



The genus Certhia is readily distinguished by the decurved, com- 

 pressed bill; absence of notch and bristles; exposed linear nostrils 

 with incumbent scales ; connate middle toe, very long claws, short 

 tarsi, pointed and stiffened tail feathers, etc. 



Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.) 

 BROWN:;CREEPER. 



Popular synonym/ - American Tree Creeper. 



Certhia familiaris WILS. Am. Orn. i, 1808, 122, pi. 7. flg. 1. NUTT. Man. 1. 1832, 585. 

 AUD. Orn. Biog. v. 1839, 158, pi. 415; Synop. 1839, 72; B. Am. ii, 1841, 109, pl.115. COUEP, 

 Key. 1872, 84: Check List. 1873. No. 42; 2d ed. 1882^ No. 62; B. N. W. 1874. 26, 230; B. Col. 

 Yal. 1878, 145. 



