236 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



too, resembles the Woodpecker's, and supports him 

 greatly whilst climbing. 



The Creeper breeds in early summer time, when in- 

 sect life is most abundant, and, like the Woodpecker, 

 prefers a hole for the purpose. But instead of boring one 

 out for himself, he finds one ready made, and, contrary 

 to the Woodpecker's economy, lines it with dry grass, 

 moss, and feathers, and makes a very warm and com- 

 fortable abode. Here the female bird lays as many as 

 six eggs, sometimes only four, white, spotted and speckled 

 with red, and about the size of the Blue Tit's, perhaps 

 a little larger. The parent Creepers are very cautious 

 birds in entering or retiring from their nest, and it may 

 be their home is but a few yards from our door, 

 yet we never discover it, at least by the motions of the 

 little owners. 



This little creature, like the Woodpecker, is not a 

 migratory bird, and we see him in the woods through- 

 out the year. In winter time one would think that 

 a frail little bird like him, whose food consists of 

 insects alone or nearly so, would be hard pressed for 

 sustenance. Yet that is not the case, and he lives 

 sumptuously the winter through. If the Swallow, how- 

 ever, were to visit us at this time, he would undoubt- 

 edly perish, for the air in winter is almost clear of insect 

 life ; but the little Creeper can live in ease when the sun 

 is at Capricorn, just because he can climb so dexterously, 

 for the bark of trees abounds with insects, and more 

 particularly their eggs and larvae, which lie there torpid 

 until called into life by the genial presence of the vernal 

 sun. 



