280 Birds of Buzzard's Roost 



ing upon the trunk near the base, then running spirally up- 

 ward, and after a hurried inspection of it for its food, wings 

 its way to another. It never backs down the bole of a tree as 

 woodpeckers do, nor does it work with its head down as the 

 nuthatches do. It is a difficult bird to find because of the fact 

 that the color of its back closely resembles the bark of the 

 tree, and when about to be discovered it crouches closely to it. 

 It is a fine example of protective coloration. It is very hardy 

 and lives sumptuously through the winter. One who is very 

 fond of the little creatures has said : "If the swallows were 

 to visit us at this time they would undoubtedly 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 torpid until called into life by the genial 

 presence of the vernal sun." 



Its habits are interestingly described by Mr. Garret New- 

 kirk in Bird Lore in his poem, "The Little Brown Creeper." 

 He makes it say : 



"Although I am a bird, I give you my word 



That seldom you'll know me to fly; 

 For I have a notion about locomotion, 



The little Brown Creeper am I, 



Dear little Brown Creeper am I. 



"Begin-ning below, I search as I go 



The trunk and the limbs of a tree, 

 For a fly or a slug, a beetle or a bug; 



They're better than candy for me, 



Far better than candy for me. 



"When people are nigh I'm apt to be shy, 



And say to myself, 'I will hide,' 

 Continue my creeping, but carefully keeping 



Away on the opposite side, 



Well around on the opposite side. 



"Yet sometimes I peak while I play hide and seek, 



If you're nice, I shall wish to see you; 

 I'll make a faint sound and come quite around 



And creep like a mouse in full view 



Very much like a mouse in full view." 



