156 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTOEIA : 



canopy and near the boles of the larger trees, in a similar 

 pursuit, and also traverses the fallen trunks with a keen 

 and scrutinizing eye. While on the ground it has a pert 

 lively action, passing over the surface in a succession of 

 quick shutBing hops, carrying its head erect with the 

 feathers puifed out, almost in the form of a crest. Among 

 the trees it assumes all the actions of a Tree Creeper, 

 ascending the upright boles, and traversing with the 

 greatest facility both the upper and lower branches. It 

 never descends with the head downwards, like the mem- 

 bers of the genera Sitta and Sitella ; still, I have seen it 

 descend an upright bole for a short distance by liopping 

 or shuffling backwards, as it were, generally making a 

 spiral course. 



" It flies with a skimming motion of the wings, during 

 which the brown marking of the primaries is very con- 

 spicuous. 



" Like manv other insectivorous birds in Australia it 

 seldom, if ever, resorts to the water for the purpose of 

 drinking. It has a sharp piercing cry, which is frequently 

 uttered, especially if the tree upon which it is climbing be 

 approached. 



" Little difference is observable either in the colour or 

 size of the sexes ; the female may, nevertheless, be at 

 once distinguished from the male by the spots at the base 

 of the throat being rufous instead of blackish brown, as in 

 the male." 



in Australia there are three other species of these very 

 useful little birds, but so far we have no record of their 

 having been found in Victoria. 



