CERTHIAD.E — THE CREEPERS. 127 



Dr. Kenueiiy, in his Report on the birds observed by him near the 35th 

 parallel, states that he found our common Creeper very abundant among the 

 rough-barked cedars in the Aztec Mountains. It usually attracted notice, 

 and its place of retreat was discovered, by his hearing its quick and sharj) 

 notes. A close and careful search generally enabled him to perceive it pro- 

 ceeding leisurely upward and downward, in straight or spiral lines, toward 

 the top of the tree, doclging dexterously to the opposite side from the* ob- 

 server, and only resuming its occupation when assured of solitude and safety. 



The observations of Dr. Kennerly, if they are to be received as character- 

 istic of the Western Creepers, do not correspond with those of our Eastern 

 birds, as far as we have observed them. None of our birds are more easily 

 approached, and when they are pursuing their search for food, none are more 

 regardless of observation. The statement that our Creeper, when watched, 

 moves to the opposite side of the tree from the looker-on, has found a certain 

 currency in our books. We are, however, of the opinion that this is owing 

 to its restless activity, prompting it to constant changes of place and position, 

 and not to its timidity or caution. We have uniformly found them either 

 unconscious or regardless of our near presence. 



They are solitary in their habits, and frequent, especially in the summer, 

 deep woods, searching for their favorite food in high places where it is difti- 

 cult to reach them, but this is no necessary evidence of their shyness. They 

 often hunt for their food in very exposed places, with equal courage and 

 recklessness. It is an actix'e, restless bird, associating with Titmice and the 

 smaller Woodpeckers, moving with great rapidity from side to side and from 

 place to place. They breed in hollow trees, in the deserted holes of tlie Wood- 

 peckers, and in the decayed stumps and branches of trees. Their nest is a 

 loose aggregation of soft, warm materials, not interwoven, but simply col- 

 lected with regard to no other requisite than warmth. 



In the summer of 1851 our party, in their visit to one of the smaller 

 Grand Menan Islands, was so fortunate as to meet witli the nest of this bird. 

 It was built in a decayed birch-tree, only a few feet from the ground, and 

 contained five eggs nearly ready to hatch. This was on the 20th of June. 

 The nest was an intermingling of decayed wood, the fur of small quadrupeds, 

 and feathers, but with so little adherence or consistency of form that it was 

 impossible to retain the materials in position after removal. 



So far from evincing any timidity, the birds refused to leave their nest, and 

 could hardly be prevented from following it when removed from the woods 

 to a house on the island. One of our companions, returning to the woods in 

 order to secure the birds for the sake of identification, found the pair still 

 lingering round the place of their rifled nest. Upon his approach they began 

 to circle round his head with reproachful cries, and continued to keep so 

 close to him that it was impossible to shoot one without mutilating it. At 

 length one of the birds alighted on a small branch held over his head by 

 a lad who accompanied him, and in this position was secured by shooting it 



