126 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



tinguished from the other forms ; when most resembling costcc in the grayish 

 tints of the upper phnnage (as in Eastern examples), the lower parts are less 

 purely white, and the bill and claws smaller ; when like it in the proportions 

 and pure white of the lower parts (as in Western specimens), the colors above 

 are altogether more brown. The yellowish crissum of americanus will 

 also distinguish them. Though often resembling familiaris in the colors of 

 the upper parts, the latter may always be distinguished by its ashy lower 

 parts without yellowish crissum, the sliorter tail, with its less acute feathers, 

 and stouter bill. 



C. mexicaniis is still more different in colors, for which see that variety. 



Habits. Our common Creeper, so closely resembling the Creeper of Eu- 

 rope as by many to be supposed identical with it, is distributed over the 

 whole of North America, from the Gulf of Mexico to high northern latitudes. 

 At different seasons it may be found in every one of the several States and 

 Territories, yet it is never very abundant. Tlie Smithsonian possesses speci- 

 mens from various parts of the country, from Georgia to Fort Steilacoom on 

 the Pacific, but of these none appear to have been secured during the period 

 of reproduction. Dr. Heermann found them very common in the more 

 mountainous districts of California. Dr. Cooper found these birds abundant 

 in the forests of Washington Territory, but difficult to detect from the simi- 

 larity of their color to that of the bark over which they crept. They were 

 apparently constant residents in that Territory. Dr. Suckley, who obtained 

 several specimens of this species in the oak groves in the vicinity of Fort 

 Steilacoom, states that in their habits the Western birds resemble those of the 

 Atlantic States. 



Mr. Eidgway found this Creeper inhabiting both the pine forests of the 

 Sierra Nevada, where it was the more common, and also, in winter, among 

 the willows of the river valleys. He did not meet with it east of the Truckee 

 Eiver, nor until he had reached the Wahsatch Mountains. 



Dr. Woodliouse found the Brown Creeper generally distributed throughout 

 the Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, and California, and adds that it 

 was especially abundant in the San Francisco Mountains of New Mexico. 



Dr. Cooper states that he has met with this form in the winter through- 

 out the higher mountains and among the Coast Range as far south as Santa 

 Cruz. ^ He found them chiefly frequenting the coniferous trees, creeping up 

 and down their trunks and branches, searching for insects in their crevices, 

 and so nearly resembling the bark in their general color, that they can be 

 detected only with great difficulty, except when in motion. 



He adds tliat their notes are shrill and wiry, and are often heard wlien the 

 bird is scarcely visible, without a careful search, their cry appearing to be 

 from a greater distance than the real performer. In March, Dr. Cooper heard 

 them giving out a faint but sharp-toned song, resembling that of a Wren. 

 If Dr. Cooper is correct in his account of the notes, they do not correspond 

 with those of our Eastern bird. 



