The Tree Creeper. 29 



almost the form of a semi-circle. The shape of the 

 beak, together with the arched back and tail, contri- 

 bute to give it this form, which is always noticeable 

 when the bird is seen from the side. 



The nesting habits of this species are interesting. 

 Sometimes a hole in a tree, but more usually a 

 narrow crevice between the bark and trunk of a 

 decaying tree, is chosen as a site for the nest. The 

 crevice is frequently only half an inch in width, and 

 into it the bird creeps, and piece by piece drags in 



( 



FIG. 8. 



Head of Creeper, showing long curved bill. 

 From nature. Natural size. 



the materials which are to form the nest. One 

 would suppose that, for the sake of security, the 

 bird would fix the nest to the tree itself, instead of 

 to the bark ; such, however, is not the case, for 

 when the bark is stripped off the nest adheres to it. 

 This clever little builder makes a compact and 

 handsome nest. Fine twigs, grass, and chips of 

 touchwood are collected and placed in layers one 

 above the other until a foundation is made. On the 

 top of this foundation a little cup-shaped hollow is 



c 



