COMMON CREEPER. 363 



sound the bird will be seen scaling the trunk or 

 branch of some neighbouring tree, while the least 

 noise on the part of the observer will cause it to jerk 

 round to the opposite side, pursuing its way in con- 

 cealment, and occasionally just coming so far round 

 as to gain a view and ascertain if the cause of alarm 

 is still present. Having gained the summit or 

 termination of the branch, it suddenly and swiftly 

 falls as it were to the root of some other tree, 

 and again commences its twisting course upwards, 

 in its way searching the moss and cracks in the 

 bark for insects, which constitute its sole food. 

 The nest is formed in the hole or rent of a tree, 

 is formed of moss and fine grasses or roots, 

 lined with feathers, and we have sometimes seen 

 the fabric of considerable bulk when the bottom 

 of a rent had to be filled up ; we have reason to 

 believe also, that a hole in a wall is sometimes 

 selected where the situation is otherwise suitable ; 

 and we once knew the nest placed in a stack of 

 peat or turf dried for fuel. At this time, the birds 

 are more than usually noisy, uttering their shrill 

 cry frequently, and quickly repeated. The fe- 

 male, while hatching, sits remarkably close, and 

 will not leave the nest or hole when the intruder 

 is near, but will watch an opportunity, and dart 

 silently off*, when he removes to a little dis- 

 tance, or keeps from sight. 



In Europe, it is generally distributed, and orni- 

 thologists have hitherto considered the bird of 

 America as identical. The Prince of Musignano, 

 however, has placed it distinct in his last com- 



