46 



Weight 3oz. length about 12 inches. 



The female lays 4 bluish white eggs, marked with 

 pale brown spots, in a nest composed of bents. 



It is said to be dirty in its habits, preferring dung 

 and putrid carcases for its abode. 



GENUS XIV. 



CERTHIA. 



Bill slender bowed, sharp pointed ; feet formed for 

 walking ; tail of twelve feathers. 



1. FAMILIARIS. CREEPER. 



C. caslanea nigro albidoque varia, sublus alba, cauda 

 subfalva rectricibus acuminatis. Shaw. 



The bill is brownish ; irides hazel ; above brown, 

 streaked with black ; the quills are tipped with white; 

 beneath is silvery white \ the tail of twelve long fea- 

 thers, forked at the end ; legs short and brown ; 

 claws hooked. 



Weight 5 drams, length about 6 inches. 



The female builds early in the spring, in the hole 

 of a tree. 



She lays from 5 to 7 ash coloured spotted eggs. 



