24 BIRDS OF P. E. ISLAND. 



it takes from the chinks and cracks in the bark 

 of forest trees. It may be seen constantly running 

 up the great trunks, going round them in a spiral 

 manner. When it arrives at the top, it flies 

 down, and instantly begins the ascent on another 

 trunk. Its bill is long, curved, and too weak 

 for digging into wood. Its tail feathers are sharp- 

 pointed to assist it in climbing. 



Creepers are by no means common with us, 

 but we have seen them both winter and summer. 



Wixtn Jfamilti. 



In early spring days, before the leafy drapery 

 begins to shade the forest arches, but high aloft 

 in the sunny sky the maples flash their crimson 

 bloom, we will hear a varied song, unlike the 

 notes of either Finch or Warbler. W^e will not 

 be likely to see the songster, for this airy music 

 comes from the diminutive Winter Wren (Anorth- 

 ura troglodytes hiemalis) feeding among the loftiest 

 sprays of sunny bloom. The shy little, brown- 

 colored songster has just arrived in our woods, 



