82 FAMILIAR WILL BIRDS. 



inquisitive examination, it very quickly places the entire 

 thickness of the tree on which it may be at work between 

 itself and the too curious observer. In addition to its 

 shyness, the Creeper's plumage is very sober and unob- 

 trusive in its character, and closely resembles in colour the 

 rough ashen-brown bark of trees, so that were it not for the 

 piping " twee-twee " that it so frequently utters, it would 

 be very difficult indeed to discover its whereabouts. 



The Creeper feeds principally upon spiders and the 

 various insects that abound in the bark of trees, and upon 

 the caterpillars and beetles that are commonly found in 

 trees, or upon old fences and wooden buildings. In ascend- 

 ing the trunk of a tree the movements of the bird are 

 rapid and continuous, the tail, which is composed of stiff 

 feathers, being curved down upon the bark, and affording 

 its owner considerable support and assistance. The upward 

 progress of the bird consists of a series of short quick 

 movements so quick, indeed, as almost to convey the idea 

 of sliding over the surface. Every part is carefully 

 scrutinised, and when the search, which terminates at the 

 top of the tree, is concluded, it quickly flits to the next 

 tree and recommences its labours, which always begin 

 at the base and terminate at the top. The flight is undu- 

 lating, and very seldom sustained for any great distance. 



The nest of the Creeper is usually placed in some crack 

 of a tree, or some sheltering inequality in the bark, and 

 is built of dried grass, straws, twigs, and fibrous roots, 

 lined with feathers and wool. Occasionally it is found in 

 some crevice of a woodstack. The nest is a handsome 

 little structure, and well worthy of notice; very frequently 

 the crevice selected is too large for the intended domicile, 

 and the superfluous space is cleverly filled up with a 



