Birds of Massachusetts. 179 
holes in trees, but Nuttall found a nest in Roxbury, 
on the ground, protected by a shelving rock, and 
composed of coarse strips of the inner bark of the 
hemlock, which overshaded the spot. The lining 
was a thin layer of hair. 1t contained four young 
birds, about a week old, which the parents fed in his 
presence without fear. The eggs are white, marked 
with brownish red spots at the larger end. 
The Brown Creeper, Certhia familiaris, makes 
its appearance at the approach of winter, not coming 
from other regions, but only from the forest, where 
it passes the milder season. Its bill is not powerful, 
but it has the advantage of a rigid tail, on which it 
rests while examining the bark of trees. Insects 
are its chief dependence, though it sometimes eats 
the seeds of the pine. With us it is not a common 
bird, nor is it known to breed in our State. 
The Hummine Birp, Trochilus colubris, is a beau- 
tiful little visiter, that generally makes its appearance - 
with the earliest blossoms; and almost always in 
considerable numbers, though sometimes cold and 
wet seasons destroy many of the young. Of man 
it is very fearless, being often seen on flowering vines 
that climb over windows, and sometimes taking 
courage to enter apartments in which flowers are to 
be found. Its bill is long, and the tongue capable 
of extension. The bill is inserted into the urns of 
flowers, and then, darting out its glutinous tongue, 
it draws forth the insect from its fragrant home. Af- 
ter feeding, the bird settles on a bough and dresses 
