308 On the Occurrence of some of the Rarer Species of Birds 



Ceethiad^. 



Certhia Familiaris. "The Common Creeper." Quite common. 

 Sometimes amongst us called the Treemouse^ running round and 

 round the trees and peering into every crevice and nook for its 

 diminutive insect prey. Some years ago a Creeper built its nest in 

 a very curious place in the garden next to mine. The door of a 

 wood-house was kept usually open, and fastened by a catch over 

 the latch against the side of the house, and the little bird chose the 

 latch of the door to form the foundation of its nest. Had the door 

 once been touched of course the whole nest would have been pulled 

 to pieces, but the owners, observing the little bird's labours, were 

 careful to leave it untouched, and it hatched out in safety. 



Sitta Europcea. "The Nuthatch.-'-' I must say this is one of 

 my favorite birds. It is a lively and indefatigable worker, never 

 still for an instant, and enlivening us continually with its untiring 

 chattering voice. Round and round, and up and down the stems it 

 runs, being apparently up to all occasions and positions in life, and 

 every now and then showing that it knows how to make the best 

 use o£ every scrap of muscular power that it possesses in its small 

 body, from which many a man might take a useful hint how properly 

 to punish a barter (half -volley) at cricket. Laying firm hold of the 

 bark with its claws, and taking a good purchase with its tail-feathers 

 against the tree, it will put the whole weight of its body into blows 

 which it continues to deal in the most determined manner until it 

 has cracked the nut, or split the piece of wood on which it has set 

 its heart. This little bird has a peculiar habit of plaistering up the 

 hole in the tree which it has fixed on for its nest, with mud, so as 

 only to leave a hole just big enough for itself to enter. Sometimes 

 you may find a considerable space filled up in this way, and which 

 must have caused the little plaisterers much time and trouble to 

 have accomplished. 



Upupa Epops. "The Hoopoe" This bird not unfrequently 

 occurs amongst us, and were it not so persistently shot down would 

 no doubt occasionally breed amongst us, but, owing to its beauty 

 and its rarity, directly one appears it is sure to be persecuted until 



