142 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



1852, pp. 11-13), does not well apply to the present form, and that 

 name could not therefore be used for it, even supposing Brehm's 

 name were not available. 



The Tree-Creeper is not uncommon in the north of the Regency, 

 where it is a resident and breeding species. South of the Atlas I 

 have no note of its occurrence. 



In Algeria I have seen the species at El-Kroubs, and Dr. Koenig 

 found it not uncommon in the oak-woods around Lambessa, as also 

 in the cedar-forests on the Djebel Touggour. 



In the oak-woods of Ghardimaou and El-Fedja, as also at Ain- 

 Draham in North Tunisia, the Tree-Creeper is to be met with 

 frequently and throughout the year. 



In its habits it is shy and rather solitary, though exceedingly 

 restless, and for this latter reason is more often noticed than it other- 

 wise would be, as its plumage is particularly sober and unattractive 

 in its colouring. The bird is generally to be seen alone, creeping 

 rapidly up a tree trunk with a jerky movement, and, as a rule, in a 

 spiral direction, and stopping at intervals to probe the bark in search 

 of the insects and their larvfe which form its principal food. When 

 it reaches the top of the tree trunk it flits off to the foot of another 

 tree and immediately repeats the same tactics. The bird's stiff, 

 pointed and somewhat decurved tail-feathers, and large feet with 

 strongly curved claws, are eminently adapted for climbing. 



In winter the Tree-Creeper may sometimes be found in the 

 company of various species of Titmice, but, as already mentioned, it 

 is not of a sociable disposition, and is more often to be seen alone. 

 Its short warbling song uttered in spring is considered to be pleasing, 

 though rather shrill, and its call note is a feeble ''cheep, cheep," con- 

 stantly uttered as it climbs. 



Mr. Aplin found a nest of the species with young birds in it on 

 May 20th in the oak-forest of El-Fedja, and met with young Tree- 

 Creepers on the wing about a fortnight later. The nest he found 

 was placed in a curl of the bark of an old oak-tree, rotten at the core, 

 and was composed of pieces of stick and a little moss, with a lining 

 of feathers. The bits of stick seemed large for so small a bird to 

 carry. 



The eggs of the Tree-Creeper, generally from four to eight in 

 number, are white spotted with reddish-brown, chiefly at the blunt 

 end. Average measurements 16 X- 11 mm. 



