228 ANISODACTYLES." 



flower, sound fruit, and vigorous shoot do we see, which, but 

 for that little thing, would have been ugly and unpleasant in 

 itself, and spread canker over the plant on which it grew. It 

 has no song, but merely a monotonous note, much resembling 

 that of the golden-crested wren ; but it amply repays the 

 observer by the quickness and variety of its motions. It 

 seems to feel that it is quite safe in its own resources ; for, 

 while you sit or stand under an apple tree, it will take a run 

 over the whole, and clear it for yon, and never be disturbed, 

 though it should be only at the distance of a few feet. As it 

 picks up those eggs of insects which are glued to the bark or 

 the buds, or inserted just below the surface, it removes an 

 incredible number of destructive creatures before they can 

 have done any mischief; and as it looks after all trees, old 

 and young, it is probably of more service to woody vegetation 

 than any other bird. 



The only contribution which it levies on the trees in return, 

 is to make its nest in some hole, and pick up decayed bark 

 for the external fabric ; and when it cannot obtain that, it 

 uses dried grass, finishing the interior, in all instances, with 

 feathers. The eggs vary, but nine is about the average 

 number ; they are white, speckled with reddish brown. 

 Altogether the creeper is a lively little bird, and has a pretty 

 little nest, the plundering of which is absolutely treason 

 against the majesty of nature in the wild woods. 



It is understood that there is, at least in the southern 

 counties of England, another species of creeper ; and indeed 

 we want not a little research before the positive number of 

 our woodland birds is decided.* 



* The creeper is the only European species of the restricted gonus 

 Certhia. It does not descend the boles of trees, hut having spirally 

 wound its way upwards, and finished its scrutiny, it flits off to an adja- 

 cent tree, and there repeats its operations. M. 



