TREE CREEPER 



29 



Voice. — A whistle-like " wheoo-wheoo " or " whuit-whuit," or a 

 clear " whit " or " cruick." 



Chief Features. — An uncommon British bird, very local in dis- 

 tribution. An early Summer Migrant, being the earliest to 

 arrive during March. Spends the Winter in Africa and India. 



Plumage. — Olive-brown, spotted with white; crown dark brown; 

 face and neck dull grey; breast brown spotted with white; 

 bill yellowish-green, the base orange-red ; legs pale green. It 

 is a very small bird, weighing only four ounces, and is nine 

 inches in length. 



CREEPER, TREE (Certhia familiaris) 



Local Names. — Brown Woodpecker, % Common Creeper, Creeper, 

 Cuddy, Familiar Creeper, Tree Climber. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, parks, and large gardens where there are 

 tall trees. 



Nesting Period. — April onwards. 



Site of Nest. — A hole or crevice in a 

 tree, behind dislodged bark, in 

 decayed trees, etc. 



Materials Used. — Grass, pieces of 

 bark, dead wood, and twigs, 

 with a profuse lining of feathers, 

 moss, and hair, the former 

 especially. 



Eggs. — Six to Nine. White, mostly 

 spotted and speckled at larger 

 end with brownish - red and 

 greyish. 



Food. — Insects and their larvae. 



Voice. — A short song is uttered, 

 consisting of three or four shrill 

 notes, as well as a high-pitched 

 call-note. Mostly a silent bird. 



Chief Features. — A strictly arboreal 

 species. An incessant insect- 

 hunter, and a remarkable 

 acrobat in the tree-tops. The sharp-pointed tail, long beak, 

 and strong feet are worthy of note. Must be carefully looked 

 for, but is by no means uncommon. 



Plumage. — Yellowish-brown, dark brown, and white above, with a 

 pale streak over the eye. Breast and throat buff-white, dusky 

 on the belly; brown wings with white tips and bars, together 

 with brown and dull yellow. The tail feathers are reddish- 

 brown, and are stiff and pointed. Length. — Five inches. 



Fig. 8. Tree Creeper. 



