50 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
(EXTRA-LIMITAL ) 
S. pusilla. (Wils. Vol. 2, pi. 15. Aud. B. of A. Vol. 4, pi. 249 ) Plumbeous. Headandneck 
above light brown ; beneath slate. Lateral tail-feathers black, tipped with grey and crossed with 
white. Length, 4 inches. Southern States. 
S.pygmaa, Vigors. (Aud. B. of A. Vol. 4, p. 184, pi. 250.) Greyish brown above. Quills 
and tail dusky margined with grey. Two outer feathers of tail with a white band towards the 
base. Length, 34 inches. California. 
GENUS CERTHIA. Linnajus. 
Billlong, slender, arched, entire, much compressed, three-sided, acute. Nostrils basal, linear, 
oblong, situated in a groove, and half closed by a membrane. Edges of mandibles not 
notched. Tarsus and middle toe subequal, compressed : first toe longer than the middle 
toe, including the claw ; hind toe longest, with a very long claw. Wings short, very broad ; 
fourth and fifth quills longest; first shorter than the seventh. Tail wedge-shaped, of twelve 
stiff pointed feathers. 
THE BROWN CREEPER. 
CeRTIIIA AMERICANA. 
PLATE XLI. FIG. 90 (Female). 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Brown Creeper. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 122, pi. 8, fig. 1. "Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 1, p. 585. Audcbon, 
fol. pi. 415 ; Orn. Biog. Vol. 5, p. 458. 
C. americana. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp List, p. 11. 
C. familiaris. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 2, p. 109, pi. 115. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 71. 
Characteristics. Dark grey, varied with light brown and dusky ; beneath white ; rump 
and tail dusky brown. Length, 5^ inches. 
Description. The first and seventh primaries subequal. Tail rounded, longer than the 
body ; the quills with their shafts projecting beyond the webs, and ending in acute elastic 
points. Plumage on the back soft and loose. 
Color. Above reddish brown. Feathers with a dull white central streak. A white streak 
over the eye, and a small dark triangular spot between the eye and base of the bill. Beneath 
white, tinged with brown on the sides. Wings deep brown. Tail brown, with obsolete 
dusky undulations. 
Length, 5 - 0-5'5. 
