CERTHIA FAMILIARIS. 503 



creeper, for it creeps up the trunks and along the branches with 

 the greatest ease in search of insects. When thus engaged it is 

 never at rest, will allow you to come within a few feet quite 

 heedless, unless it suspects harm ; then it merely creeps round 

 to the other side or flies to the root of the next tree, for it 

 always begins at the foot and creeps round it, or zig-zag 

 upwards, pressing its long, stiff, rounded tail to the tree, like 

 the woodpecker. It searches systematically, alights at the 

 foot, clings to the bark, presses its tail against it, and at once 

 begins its indefatigable search of every bit of the trunk, 

 winding round and poking its long, sharp-pointed bill into 

 every crevice likely to shelter the smallest insect or larva3, 

 jerking itself forward by short leaps, always in haste, and express- 

 ing its anxiety by continually emitting its low, mouse-like cheep — 

 very like the gold crest's. Having searched the trunk, when it 

 comes to a horizontal branch it as carefully winds round and 

 searches it, often clinging back downwards. Having crept as far 

 as it wants, it again flies to the trunk where it left off, and 

 repeats the spiral ascent till lost sight of in the higher branches, 

 from which it flies down to the foot of the next tree and 

 repeats its tireless worship of the first law of life. You may 

 watch it for hours, but, like the swallow on wing, it seems never 

 to tire — wonderful Nature ! — creeping or flying all is the same, 

 perfection everywhere ; unless in man, who makes creeds and 

 laws of his own, would be his own Creator, and, like Moses, 

 would be "a God to Pharaoh." Would make his own flying 

 machine ! Alas ! alas ! poor imitation of the flight of a bird, 

 far less the flight of the mythical angel ! It is found in all our 

 hardwood dens and woods. I have seen several pairs in 

 Bonnytown Den at one time. A permanent resident, nowhere 

 numerous, seldom seen away from woods, and never in flocks, al- 

 though I have seen it with gold crests and tits. It pairs in April, 

 breeds in May, and lays from six to nine white eggs, speckled 

 with rusty-brown like those of the blue tit, which shows their 

 affinity, for tits also creep and climb. On June 24th, 1878, I 

 got a nest with eggs, just hatching, in an old rustic, heather- 

 clad summer-house at Gilston. It was two feet from the 

 ground. I went back on July 1st ; I peered in and saw her 

 closely sitting. I could have caught her, as the only opening 

 was on the outside of the house, and so small that a mouse 

 could hardly have crept in ; but by taking off the inside 

 branches I could have taken her out. I had to tap to make her 

 fly out. There were six raw young ones. I lay and watched 



