BROWN CREEPER. 



726. Certhia familiaris americana. 5 l / 2 inches. 



Tail feathers stiffened and pointed; rump rusty. 



These odd birds are fairly common throughout the 

 United States in winter. They will be found in 

 woods always climbing up tree trunks, carefully in- 

 vestigating every crevice in the bark for larvae or 

 grubs. When they reach the top of one tree, they 

 drop to the foot of the next and continue the opera- 

 tion. They are very tame, not seeming to comprehend 

 that danger can befall them, for they will allow any- 

 one to approach very closely, so that they have been 

 caught under a hat. 



Song. A very faint trill; call, a weak tseep, hardly 

 noticeable unless very near them. 



Nest. Of twigs, moss and bark, behind loose bark 

 on dead trees or stumps, usually not high above 

 the ground; eggs white, specked with reddish brown. 



Range. Eastern N. A., breeding from northern 

 New England and Minnesota northward; winters 

 throughout the U. S. 



