BIRDS OF NEW YORK 49 1 



Like most of our small birds which frequent the shrubbery, this little 

 wren migrates at night. On one occasion while I was concealed in a blind 

 watching for ducks to enter the marsh, I saw the last representative of 

 this species leave the marshes at the foot of Canandaigua lake. It was 

 a cool night late in October when the moon was at the full. The little 

 fellow uttered a feeble warble which attracted my attention and then 

 rose from near my station, fluttering higher and higher into the air until 

 lost at an elevation of about 300 feet, where I caught my last glimpse of 

 him against the full moon. The following morning when I visited the 

 marsh no more wrens were left. Evidently they migrate at night, and high 

 in the air, so as to see their way and escape their enemies more successfully. 



Family CERTHIIDAE 



Creepers 

 Ten primaries, the first very short; point of the wing formed by the 

 third, fourth and fifth; tail rather long, rounded, the shafts stiffened and 

 the feathers pointed, showing a curious analogy to the tails of woodpeckers ; 

 bill long, slender and curved nearly throughout its length; nostril exposed; 

 the rictus without bristles; the toes joined up to the first joint ; the claws 

 curved and sharp; size small; plumage soft brown and gray in color. This 

 is a small family related to the wrens and the nuthatches but showing 

 several sharp family characteristics, especially the slender curved beak 

 and the stiffened tail. In habits they are scansorial, climbing upon the 

 trunk and branches of trees in the manner of woodpeckers, using the tail 

 as a brace against the bark. They are insectivorous in habits and migra- 

 tory, although hardy enough to withstand the winters in temperate 

 latitudes. Our one species is closely related to the tree creeper of Europe 

 and subspecifically to the Mexican, Rocky mountain and California 

 creepers. Only one species, with five subspecies, is recognized in North 

 America. 



