The Tree Creeper. 23 



CHAPTER II.: 



THE TREE CREEPER, 



(Certhia familtaris.} 



FLAKING- our stand one bright spring morning 

 at the end of an avenue of oaks, we noticed a 

 little brown bird creeping up the trunk of one of 

 the trees. Remaining perfectly still, we watched its 

 movements through a field-glass. The little bird 

 had just alighted at the base of a fine old oak, and 

 immediately commenced to climb upwards in a spiral 

 direction, winding its way methodically round and 

 round the stem of the tree. As it climbed it peered 

 into every crevice and cranny of the bark, patiently 

 searching for the insects which form its food. At 

 length, after a toilsome journey, it arrived at the 

 end of one of the larger branches ; and then, instead 

 of going to another branch, as we should have 



