468 



PAf!SERES. 



crrthtid;f,. 



CERTHnn.F.. 



Certhia familiaris, Lmnffius *. 



THE TREECREEPER. 



Certhia familiaris. 



Certhia, Linnsieus t. — Bill rather long, slender, compressed, curved downwards 

 and pointed ; nostrils basal, lateral, elongated and partly covered by a mem- 

 brane. Wings moderate and rounded ; the first feather short, the third and sixth 

 about equal, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail-feathers, twelve in number, 

 long, stiff, pointed and slightly curved downwards. Feet large, the tarsus slender ; 

 the fore toes long and united at the base as far as the first joint, their claws 

 moderate but much curved; the hind toe short, but with a long curved claw. 

 Plumage soft and thick, especially above. 



The Treecreeper is one of the smallest British birds, 

 and though rather numerous, is not very readily observed, 

 partly from its diminutive size, its unobtrusive ways and its 

 modest colours, and partly from its habit, when approached. 



* Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 184 (1766). 



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