It is, of course, at nesting time that the sneak-ability of the bird is most 

 severely tested. The nest, a simple afifair of coiled grasses, is usually sunk so 

 that the brim comes flush with the ground. For the bird seeks no other pro- 

 tection than that of "luck" and its own ability to elude observation when obliged 

 to quit the nest. The ruse of lameness is frequently employed where danger 

 is immment. At other times the sitting bird is shrewd enough to rise at a con- 

 siderable distance. 



Two and sometimes three broods are raised in a season, the first in late 

 April, the second in late June or early July. Upland pastures and weedy fields 

 are the favorite spots for the rearing of young, but plowed ground is some- 

 times usurped if left too long, and roadsides are second choice. 



There is reason to believe that this species has invaded the state within the 

 historic period, since Audubon expressly states that he did not meet it in Ohio. 

 At any rate it is gradually increasing in numbers and its range extending as the 

 forests dwindle. 



The Little Brown Creeper 



By Garrett Newkirk 



"Although I'm a bird, I give you my word 



That seldom you'll know me to fly ; 

 I*'or I have a notion about locomotion, .v 



The little Brown Creeper am I, r^ 



Dear little Brown Creeper am I. 



"Beginning below, I search as I go 



The trunk and the limbs of a tree, 

 For a fly by a slug, a beetle or bug; 



They're better than candy for me, 



l''ar better than candy for me. 



"When people are nigli I'm a])t to be shv. 



And say to myself, '1 will hide,' 

 Continue my creeping, but carefully keeping 



Away on the opposite side. 



Well around on the opposite side. 



"Yet sometimes I peck wliile 1 pla\- hide-and-seek, 



If you're nice 1 shall wish to see yon : 

 1 "II maki' a taint sound and come <|uite around 



.And creep like a mouse in full view. 



\'ery nnich like a mouse to your view." 



119 



