COMMON BUSH-CREEPER. Z6sUrops palpehroirus. 



and perpetually engaged in a search after insects. In some of its movements it resembles 

 the honey-eaters, for it often pushes its head completely into the corollas of flowers while 

 endeavouring to capture the minute insects that lurk at the bottom of the cup, and 

 emerges with its forehead covered with yellow pollen. The voice is a low twittering 

 note, constantly uttered while the bird is in motion, but there is no real song. 



The nest of the Bush-Creeper is rather variable in its position and structure, 

 sometimes being suspended from the branches, and at others placed in the centre of some 

 thick bush. Generally it is suspended between two twigs, to which it is woven by means 

 of various animal and vegetable fibres, mostly obtained from the cocoon of caterpillars 

 and the fibrous bark of trees. The shape of the nest is cup-like, but the whole structure 

 is so delicately balanced that even in a fierce storm the eggs are not flung out of their 

 places. 



There are many species of British Creepers, some of which inhabit Asia, others are 

 found in Africa, and some in Australia. The word Mniotiltinae is of Greek origin, and 

 signifies " moss-pluckers," while the term Zosterops signifies " girdle-faced," and has been 

 given to this bird in consequence of a well-defined circlet of light coloured feathers which 

 surrounds the eye. 



WAGTAILS. 



WE now arrive at a small group of birds, which is sufficiently familiar to every 

 observer of nature through the different representatives which inhabit this country. The 

 WAGTAILS, so called from their well-known habit of jerking their tails while running on 

 the ground or on settling immediately after a flight, are found in both hemispheres, and 

 are all well known by the habit from which they derive their popular title. No less 

 than nine species of this group occur in Britain, some of which are nearly as well known 

 as the common sparrow, while others are less familiar to the casual observer. 



The PIED WAGTAIL is the most common of all the British examples of this genus, and 

 may be seen at the proper season of the year near almost every pond or brook, or even in 

 the open road, tripping daintily over the ground, pecking away at the insects, and wagging 

 its tail with hearty good will. 



