four or five eggs similar in color 

 and size to those of its white-bellied 

 congener. 



IV. 



The Brown Creeper, 

 (certhia familiaris rufa.) 



This diminutive species is also a 

 perennial resident of the wild-woods 

 of Canada, and derives its name 

 from its habit of climbing the 

 trunks and branches of trees, but in 

 ascending only, and with a kind of 

 jerking motion. When it has climb- 

 ed one tree as far as it desires to go 

 it flies directly downward to the 

 roots of another, and proceeds up- 

 wards as before, eagerly inspecting 

 every crevice in search of insects 

 and larve, upon which it subsists. 

 It is at times difficult to get a good 

 view of this active little forester, not 

 only from its bark-like hu$, but from 

 its always attempting to conceal 

 itself from view, by- creeping to 

 opposite side of the tree, particular- 

 ly when it becomes aware th'af it is 

 the subject of observation. ♦ 



The Brown Creeper is four inches 

 in length the plumage on the upper 

 parts is dull brown, each feather be- 

 ing marked with white; the under 

 parts have a greyish hue. Its bill 

 is long, slender and hooked at the 

 point; the long drooping tail termi- 

 nates in stiff points, which assist in 

 supporting it as it clings to the sides 

 of trees. 



In very cold weather, nights, 

 and during storms, it takes refuge 

 in hollow trees, and in such places 

 it may sometimes nest. It begins to 

 nest early in spring, and perhaps 



nidicates twice in the season. The 

 only nest of this species that I have 

 yet seen containing eggs (and which 

 I secured for my collection),* was 

 placed in the cavity of a dry hem- 

 lock tree, between the trunk and 

 the bark nearly twenty feet from the 

 ground. I saw the female at work 

 collecting for its formation, and 

 noticed that her mate gave her no 

 assistance, except constantly to utter 

 his notes of approbation, as he ac- 

 companied her to and from the 

 nesting place. 



Pieces of rough bark were first 

 made use of, then strips offinefiber- 

 ous bark were appropriated, and 

 finally different kinds of hair com- 

 pleted the nest. Six eggs were de- 

 posited, of a whitish color, mottled 

 towards the larger end with pink 

 spots. 



The musical talents of this winter, 

 wild-wood resident, are not to be 

 despised; its song consists of several 

 lively notes, which are often heard 

 echoing in the wilderness, while the 

 hardy little musician itself is invisi- 

 ble, even in the depths of winter. 

 It is, however, most generally notic- 

 ible at that period of the year when 

 winter is about to yield his ice-bound 

 rule to the more gentle reiun of 

 spring. 



It really wonderful how this little 

 creature withstands the cold of the 

 Canadian winter, but nature has evi- 

 dently adapted every part of its 

 organization to suit the life that its 

 Great Author designed the little 

 bird to lead; and consequently this, 

 — though among the smallest of the 



CONTINUED OX PAGE 46. 



