THE BIRDS OF THE GREEN LANES. 135 



as well as amused. They seem the most restless 

 beings in creation, and hop about and cling to tiny 

 twigs, pleasantly and even merrily chirping all the 

 time, so that you would think they were simply 

 amusing themselves, and not engaged in the arduous 

 duty of seeking for " daily bread." Both the nest 

 and eggs of the siskin very much resemble those of 

 the goldfinch, only on a smaller scale. For, although 

 a winter visitor, this bird frequently remains to nest 

 with us, and therefore to stay the whole year. 



Not far from the spot where the bullfinch nests, 

 in some of the old woods close by, where perhaps tho 

 Great Grreen Woodpecker is to be seen, you may 

 watch the Common Creeper make its spiral curves 

 round the trunk of some old tree, diligently searching 

 for insects. It is not easy to follow its rapid motion, 

 for apart from its smallness, the back is so like the 

 ground- work of the tree trunk that it is a capital 

 protection for it. The small legs and comparatively 

 long beak of the common creeper (well does it 

 deserve its name, for no other word so well expresses 

 its movements) are admirably adapted to its habits 

 and food. It is possible that whilst you are watching 

 it you may catch sight of another bird, which, had 

 Solomon known of it, might nave taken the 

 distinguished place the wise man has giveu to the 

 ant. The Nuthatch (Sitta europsea) is a good 

 provider against the winter months, laying up store 

 of provender in the shape of nuts and acorns, which 

 it will bury in the earth. Now you may have your 



