1128 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



They have a scraping, scolding note that is most familiar to those 

 who intrude upon their haunts, but also sing a little song that the 

 casual visitor does not recognize. 



Mr. Bicknell says they cease singing early in August, but have an- 

 other song period in September or October. 



XLIX. FAMILY CERTHIID^E. CREEPERS. 



a 1 . Characters same as family. CEBTHIA. 171 



171. GENUS CERTHIA LINN.EUS. 



Head, foot and tail feather of Brown Creeper. Natural size. 



305. (7:6). Certhia familiaris americana (BONAP.). 



Brown Creeper. 



Adult. JBill about the length of the head; above, dark brown, with 

 a slightly rufous shade, each feather streaked centrally, but not 

 abruptly, with whitish; rump, rusty. Beneath, almost silky white; 

 the under tail coverts with a faint rusty tinge; a white streak over 

 the eye; the ear coverts streaked with whitish; tail feathers, brown 

 centrally, the edges paler yellowish-brown; wings with a transverse 

 bar of pale reddish-white across both webs (B. B. and R.). 



Length, 5.00-5.75; wing, 2.40-2.70; tail, 2.30-2.90. 



RANGE. Eastern North America, from Gulf States, north. Breeds 

 from Minnesota, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Maine, north. 



Nest, under loose bark of dead tree; of lichens, usnea, moss, feath- 

 ers, grass and rootlets. Eggs, 5-6; profusely spotted with bright 

 brown; .60 by .48. 



The Brown Creeper is a very common migrant throughout the 

 State. It is an irregular winter resident in all parts of the State, 

 being much more regular and some winters common southward. In 

 the northeastern part of the State it is- known to breed, and may 

 be there a rare resident. At any rate, there its winter range and 

 breeding range meet. 



This Creeper is colored so near the markings on the trees .that few 

 people see it, and to most persons it is a rare bird. When its piping 



