i=;2 



ENGLISH BIRD LIFE 



form flies in a descending curve, and clings to the 

 very base of the tree-trunk next in order. It is so 

 near that one may readily note the buff and black 

 mottling on the wing, the silvery grey throat, and 

 lone, delicatelv-curved bill. It remains still not for 

 a moment, but its restlessness is as of one bent on 

 serious work, rather than that of a shy wood- 

 dweller shrinking from a human eye. On the 

 instant its long, sharp claws grip the tree, it 

 proceeds methodically to ascend by a series of 

 short, jerking movements, the stiff feathers of 

 the tail pressed firmly against the bark to give it 

 purchase. 



Soon, moving spirally, it is lost behind the trunk, 

 but it reappears higher, working its way steadily 

 upwards, examining, at each step, every interstice 

 wherein an insect may lodge. The smoothest 

 beech-bole is traversed as easily as the rougher elm 

 or oak, and in a little while the brown, mouse-like 

 form may be seen creeping contentedly, back-down- 

 wards, on the under surface of one of the loftier 

 limbs. 



When its scrutiny of a particular tree is con- 

 cluded, it drops again to the base of the next, and 

 begins anew its persevering ascent. 



The Tree-creeper is generally distributed in all 

 suitable localities in Great Britain, and occurs in 

 all countries in Continental Europe. 



The Nuthatch, familiar in England, was at one 

 time believed to be the sole example of its genus 

 to be found in Europe. Now, however, certain 

 of the Continental forms have been shown to be 



