282 THE FEATHERED TRIBES. 



In the greater nvimber the tail is equal. <Jf these we may name the superb creeper 

 (C. mperba), described and figured in the magnificent work of M. VieiUot. Its length 

 is six inches; the crown of the head, upper part of the neck, smaller wing-coverts, back, 

 and rump, are bright greenish-gold ; across the ujjper part of the breast runs a bar of 

 bright gilded-yellow, beneath which the whole under parts are deep brownish- crimson ; 

 the wings and tail are blackish-brown, tlie legs are also brown, the bill is black. This 

 beautiful species was discovered at Malimba, in Africa, by 31. Perrein. Another highly 

 adorned species, such as limners love to paint, and ladies to look upon, is the Certhia 

 sph'tidida of Shaw (C. afra and lotejita, Linn.) It usually occurs in woody places, and, 

 in addition to its splendid plumage, is said to be worthy of admiration for its musical 

 powers, its song being by some esteemed equal to that pf the nightingale. The spotted 

 breasted ciimyris (C. maculufu) also dwells in the forests of Malimba, and frequently 

 approaches the habitations of the natives, allured by the flowers of the cyfkiis cajai), 

 commonly called the congo pea, which, according to Dr. Shaw, is much cultured by the 

 negroes. 



In some of these birds the central feathers of the tail are lengthened in the males. 

 Such is C. violacea, a Cape species, which likewise dwells in woods, and is said to build a 

 nest of a singularly elegant construction. In a few the bill is almost straight, as in 

 C. rcdirosfris, ^'ieillot. * >ur restricted limits will not admit of our expatiating on this 

 delightful group. 



THE COMMON CREEPER.* 



The common creeper, though of a somewhat lengthened form, is probably, with the 

 exception of the yellow- crested wren, the smallest bodied British bird. It is said to feed 

 entirely upon insects, although, as a -winter resident in many frost-bound regions, we 

 cannot aver that it never swallows seeds. It builds in tlie hollows of trees, and may be 

 often seen during the delightful autumn, when the rustling woods are fragrant with fallen 

 leaves, flitting from the top of one trunk to the bottom of another, which it ascends by 

 a kind of spiral progression, and then darting downwards to a neighbouring tree, it 

 thus busily pursues from time to time its iminterrupted flight. This bird cliiefly 

 shows itself in our .shrubberies and wooded pleasure-grounds in winter. 



It inhabits not only Britain but the continent of Europe. It is said to migi'ate 

 to Italy in September and October. It has been particularly noticed in various parts 

 of Germany, and is described as inhabiting North America. Prince IMusignano states 

 that it is common and permanent near Rome, and rare near Philadeljjhia. 



The creeper is a most active and restless little bird, ever on the alert, intent on 

 picking up its food, which it finds on the trunks and branches of trees. A constant 

 resident in Britain, it is not easily seen there, for its activity in shifting its position 

 makes it very difficult to follow with the eye. One instant it is before the spectator, and 

 the next, from the rapidity of its passage, the intervening branch or trunk hides the 

 bird from his view. The form of its (ail, and the structure of its feet, are exquisitely 

 adapted to its rapid locomotion. Its oft-repeated note is monotonous. 



This bird provides a nest in the hole or behind the bark of decayed trees, formed of 

 dry grass, and llie inner ])in'( of the bark is lined with small feathers. Here six or eight 

 eggs are deposited. Wliilc 1 lie female sits mi thc^e slic is regularly ied by Jthe male 

 bird. 



THE \\/U.L-OREEri;R.* 



The habitat of this bird is the south of Europe. It is tolerably abundant in Spain and 

 Italy, always, however, on the most elevaled rocks, and very rare on mountains of 



• Cci'tliiii J'iiiiiiliiiris. t (Villiiu MiHiuiii. — l.imi. 



