134 



PASSERES. — CERTHIAD.^. 



whirring exactly like that of a wheel put into rapid 

 revolution by machinery ; that of Humilis is a hum, 

 like that of a large bee. 



The spirit of curiosity is manifested by this little 

 bird as well as by the larger species. When struck 

 at, it will return in a moment, and peep into the 

 net, or hover just in front of one's face. The 

 stories told of Humming-birds attacking men, and 

 striking at the eyes with their needle-like bills, 

 originated, I have no doubt, in the exaggeration 

 of fear, misinterpreting this innocent curiosity. 



Fam.— CERTHIAD^.— (r/ie Creepers.) 



BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER.* 



Mniotilta varia. 



This pretty bird, whose lot has been to oscillate 

 in the systems of naturalists from the Warblers to 

 the Creepers and from the Creepers to the Warblers, 

 appears to have as much ambiguity in its manners 

 as in its structure. One day I noticed it, and 



* Length 5 inches, expanse 8^, flexure 2^, tail 2, rictus •^, tarsus 

 -— , middle toe ^. 



