THE TREE-CREEPER FAMILY 



273 



about twelve broad stripes of dull gray, and between the two 

 colors the striations of bark are surprisingly well imitated. 

 On the side of an oak, or elm, or chestnut, this little bird is 

 almost invisible until it moves. It does not work head down- 



BROWN CREEPER. 



ward, like the nuthatch, but creeps about with its head up, 

 braced by its tail, like a woodpecker. Like both the pre- 

 ceding species, it is a winter resident, and in fact is not much 

 in evidence at any other season. The four species of this 

 group cover the United States, and extend from Alaska to 

 Guatemala. 



