Vol. XXII 

 1905 



Kennard and McKechnie, Brown Creeper. 187 



shortly reappeared minus the contents of its bill. Then, after a 

 few minutes, the other bird, flitting in the same direction and 

 watched closely, was seen to enter a slit about one and one-half 

 feet from the base of a nine-inch red maple growing beside the 

 hemlocks. On approaching the tree the old bird flew out disclos- 

 ing a nest full of young, nearly fledged, number unknown, although 

 four were visible. The slit was about ten inches long by one and 

 one-half inches wide, and led into a hollow within the tree. (Plate 

 X, Fig. 1.) 



The finding of this nest in 1903, and the supposition that these 

 birds probably built there every year, caused us to make up our 

 minds that we would not only find this nest again in the spring of 

 1904, but would also keep our eyes and ears open for Creepers in 

 other suitable localities, either in Canton, or Brookline, or else- 

 where ; with the result that we actually found four nests with eggs, 

 in four different swamps, and knew of one other pair of birds for 

 whose nest we did not have time to hunt. 



For convenience we will take each nest separately, giving as 

 briefly as possible an account of its finding and the methods 

 employed in hunting for it. 



At Brookline, Mass., on April 25, 1904, at about dusk, while 

 walking along a path bordering the swamp about which Creepers 

 had in previous years been seen in the breeding season, Mr. Ken- 

 nard was startled by hearing a strange, sweet song, one that was 

 new to him, and which he soon found came from one of a pair of 

 Creepers that were flitting along the hillside beside the swamp. 



This song which they repeat at intervals while flitting and feed- 

 ing about the tree trunks, is difficult to describe, except to say, 

 perhaps, that while it is nothing like that of the Winter Wren, 

 either in length or strength, it nevertheless reminds one of it on 

 account of what may be called its sylvan quality. Mr. Kennard 

 watched them for some time, until it was dark, and they had 

 flown off across the swamp, then noting the exact locality, he 

 resolved to return at a later day. 



On May 2, a careful search was made for these birds, and after 

 about an hour's unsuccessful hunt they were finally located, near 

 where they had been seen before. They seemed, however, to 

 have no idea of visiting their nest, if they had one, but spent 

 their time feeding, and led a fruitless chase about the swamp. 



