586 SLENDER-BILLED BIRDS. 



leisurely upwards or downwards, in straight or spiral lines 

 towards the top of the tree, dodging dexterously to the 

 opposite side from the observer, and only resuming his 

 occupation when assured of solitude and safety. Though 

 they live chiefly on insects, they also, according to Wil- 

 son, collect the seeds of the pine for food, and are partic- 

 ularly fond of the vermin which prey on those kinds of 

 trees. In the thick forests which they inhabit, in the 

 Northern and Western States, about the middle of April, 

 they commence their nest in the hollow trunk or branch 

 of a tree, which has been exposed to decay by injury or 

 accident. Here, in the accidental cavities or deserted 

 holes of the Squirrel or Woodpecker, the Creeper depos- 

 its her eggs, to the number of 7 or more, of a dull cinere- 

 ous, marked with small dots of reddish-yellow, and streaks 

 of dark brown. (According to Temminck, the eggs of 

 the European bird are pure white, scattered with numer- 

 ous pale and darker spots of ferruginous brown.) The 

 young creep about with great caution previous to taking 

 to their wings. 



Length 5 inches, alar extent 7. Tail, as long as the body, of a pale 

 drab, with the inner webs dusky, the extremity of each sharp, rigid, 

 and attenuated to a point, in the manner of the Woodpeckers. Eyes 

 hazel. Legs and feet dirty clay-color. 



Family. — ANTHOMYZI. Vieill Bonap. 



The bill long or moderate, slender, entire, acute, or tubular at the 

 point ; the tongue long, slender, and extensile. Feet short, or mod- 

 erate, and slender. Tail of 10 or 12 feathers. 



The moult semi-annual ; with the plumage usually brilliant. They 

 feed principally on the honeyed sweets of flowers, which they ex- 

 tract with their long and extensible tongues ; some also add small 

 insects to their fare. The nest is often constructed with much art, 

 and they raise several broods in the season. The voice is scarcely 

 audible. 



