COMMON CREEPER. 149 



about in a very pleasing manner. Mr. Pennant informs 

 us, that the Turks call this the messenger-bird, from the 

 resemblance which its crest has to the plumes worn by 

 the Turkish couriers ; that the country people in Sweden 

 consider its appearance as ominous of war ; and that, in 

 our own country, it was formerly esteemed the fore- 

 runner of some great calamity. 



The Hoopoe is about twelve inches in length, and has, 

 on the top of its head, a beautiful crest, the feathers of 

 which are an inch and upwards in height, and capable of 

 being erected and depressed at pleasure. This crest is of 

 a pale orange-colour, having each feather tipped with 

 black. The plumage is variegated on the upper parts, 

 with blackish and rufous white. The upper parts are 

 reddish- w hite ; and the tail is black, with a white bar. 

 The bill is about two inches long, slender, somewhat 

 curved, and black. The legs also are black. 



15. CREEPER TRIBE. 



The species of Creeper are very numerous, and are 

 found in most countries of the world ; but only one of them 

 is a native of the British Islands. They feed on insects. 



Common Creeper. Running about with the greatest 

 facility, upon the small branches of trees, in pursuit of 

 its insect prey, this diminutive bird is extremely difficult 

 to be seen ; not only from the darkness of its colours, but 

 also from its studiously concealing itself from observation, 

 by escaping to the opposite side of the branch. Its nest is 

 formed in holes of decayed trees. Here it lays from five 

 to seven eggs, which are of an ash-colour, marked at the 

 end with spots of a deeper hue. It is a native of various 

 parts of Europe, Asia, and America. 



