114 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 
ing little notice of one’s approach. “Should one attempt 
to fly,” writes a recent observer, “it immediately falls on its 
back as if shot. The legs and toes are stretched out to their 
BROWN CREEPER. 
farthest extent, and are quite rigid; the eyes protrude, are 
insensible to the touch, and the whole body quivers slight- 
ly. It remains in this state from one to two minntes, when 
it recovers suddenly, and seems as active as before. If 
taken in the hand, it will immediately go into convulsions, 
even if it has been in a warm room for several hours, and 
has been supplied plentifully with food. Death usually 
puts an end to its suffering in a day or two.” 
Such catastrophes are more likely to occur, however, in 
the spring, after the birds have begun to come northward, 
than in the steadier weather of January; and even the song- 
