24 Forest Birds. 



expected, it left the tree altogether, and darted off 

 with a dipping flight to the trunk of a neighbouring 

 oak, up which it climbed in the selfsame way, 

 thus continuing its work from dawn to sun- 

 down. This industrious bird doubtless covers each 

 day some miles in its journeys up the trees, for 

 seldom is it at rest, save at night and in nesting 

 time. 



We have watched this little bird many hours, and 

 have not often known it to vary its orderly way of 

 climbing. We can only suggest that the reason for 

 this must be sought in the methodical nature of the 

 bird. 



It never descends a tree head foremost, but we 

 have seen one take several steps backwards down an 

 old oak, from out of which it was pulling a piece of 

 touchwood. 



The favourite resorts of the Creeper are wooded 

 districts, and spots where there are many of the 

 larger kinds of trees. It especially delights in 

 localities where a number of trees are grouped 

 together, such as an avenue or a plantation. 



This species is sometimes called the Tree Climber, 

 and more correctly so, for the name Creeper implies 

 that it creeps up the tree, putting one leg before the 

 other, as does the nuthatch. This, however, is not 

 the case, for the Creeper climbs by making a number 



