TREECREEPER. 469 



of shifting round to the opposite side of the stem or trunk of 

 the tree whereon it is seeking its food. Aided by its long, 

 curved and sharp claws, and at times hy its peculiarly-formed 

 tail-feathers, it is an excellent climber, running rapidly, 

 but by jerks, in a spiral direction over the bark of trees, 

 whether it be rough or smooth, searching for small insects 

 of all sorts, but especially for spiders and others Avliich lurk 

 in the crevices, jiicking them out with its slender bill, but 

 occasionally varying its diet with the seeds of the Scotch-fir. 

 Having traced its ascending course over one tree, it takes 

 flight to the next for the same purpose, almost invariably be- 

 ginning at the foot and working upwards. Thus it procures 

 its living; on a level or slanting branch as often as not 

 travelling with its back downwards, and, when the branch 

 becomes small, dropping suddenly and, with an undulating 

 flight, seeking the next tree, there to resume its spiral ascent. 

 This bird inhabits groves, plantations, and woods, and is 

 especially partial to the examination, in raj^id succession, of 

 a line of trees growing near to each other, as when forming 

 the side of an avenue. 



The Treecreeper generally makes its nest on the inner 

 side of the loose bark of a decayed tree ; the vignette at the 

 end of this article exhibits such an example, for the oppor- 

 tunity of figuring which I am indebted to the kindness of 

 Mr. T. F. Eobinson, of Havering-atte-Bower, in Essex, near 

 which it was taken. It was supported on the inner surface 

 of a thick piece of the bark of an elm which had been de- 

 tached from the tree, and thus afforded the view here given. 

 The nest itself was formed on the outer surface with small 

 twigs, within which there was a thick layer of fine grass 

 mixed and lined with black wool, and a few small dark- 

 coloured feathers. This may be regarded as an instance of 

 a most naturally-built nest of the species, but it is a bird 

 Avhich readily avails itself of other sites, and in particular of 

 such as are afforded by a shed or hovel of rough slabs, or 

 the piles of timber in a wood-yard, where the poles, crossing 

 each other as they lean against some support, offer a secure 

 niche ; while again, as long ago noticed by White of Sel- 



