30 Forest Birds. 



formed, and this is lined with wool and feathers. 

 The size and shape of the nest vary according to the 

 crevice or hole in which it is built. If made in a 

 hole the nest is nearly round, and sometimes of 

 considerable diameter ; if built between the bark 

 and trunk it takes a deep and narrow shape. 



The Tree Creeper usually rears two broods in the 

 year. It lays from six to eight eggs at the first 

 nesting, in the month of April, and seldom more 

 than five at the second. The eggs are white, with 

 a few red spots, usually confined to the thicker end, 

 and they are almost identical in size and colour with 

 those of the great tit (Parus major). Both of these 

 industrious little birds take their turn in sitting on 

 the nest, and are equally attentive to their offspring, 

 each bringing food to them incessantly throughout the 

 day. Such very devoted parents are they, and such 

 close sitters, that they may even be lifted off the 

 nest. 



Dark brown is the predominating colour in the 

 Tree Creeper, and while its head and back are 

 streaked with a paler tint, the wings have several 

 bars of greyish white running across them. The 

 tail, which is rufous, has the quill of each feather of 

 a light brown, giving it a peculiar appearance. The 

 chin, throat, and belly are of a silvery white, often 

 dulled by the bird's contact with a tree. 



