118 TREE-CREEPER. 
iv. pp. 136-139) distinguishes by trinomials five subspecies in 
Europe, an indefinite number in Asia, and five in North America, 
from about 50° N. lat. to Mexico and Guatemala. 
Towards the middle of April the Tree-Creeper makes its nest ; 
usually selecting a crevice between the partially detached bark 
and the trunk of a tree, or a narrow cleft in the bole; but not 
unfrequently placing it behind loose plaster, or under the eaves 
of a shed or dwelling; sometimes in the foundations of the nests 
of Birds of prey and Rooks, and in piles of timber or bricks. Fine 
straw or twigs, roots, grass and moss are the materials employed, with 
a lining of wool, feathers, and strips of inside bark—often that of 
the birch-tree. The 6-g eggs are white, spotted, zoned and blotched 
with reddish-brown and dull purple, especially towards the larger 
end: measurements *62 by ‘47 in. Incubation is assiduously per- 
formed by the female, who is, however, rather shy, slipping off her 
nest if she sees an intruder; but sometimes when the young are 
fledged, even though still in, or close to their home, the parents 
show remarkable indifference. Two broods are often reared in 
the season. The food, as already observed, consists principally 
of insects, and occasionally of seeds of the Scotch fir. The 
song of this little bird is shrill, but rather pleasing; and I have 
noticed that in the bright climate of the south of Europe, in the 
gardens of the Alhambra at Grandda, for instance, it is much more 
prolonged and joyous than in the north. The call-note is a feeble 
cheep, cheep. When climbing, the stiff-pointed feathers of the tail 
are depressed ; the bird ascending by their assistance and by that of 
its long curved claws, with a short jerking movement, and generally 
in spiral curves. In winter the Tree-Creeper may often be 
observed in company with various species of Titmouse, or with 
Golden- and Fire-crested Wrens. 
The adult has a dull white streak over the eye; feathers of the 
head, neck, and back dark brown with pale centres; lower back 
rufous-brown ; wing-quills dark brown, barred and margined ex- 
teriorly with buffish-white ; tail of twelve stiff-pointed feathers, dull 
reddish-brown, with paler shafts ; chin to belly silvery-white ; flanks 
and vent suffused with buff; the rather long, slender, curved bill 
dark brown above, yellowish below; legs and feet, light brown. 
Length about 4°75 in.; wing 2°5in. The sexes are alike in plumage. 
The young have a more rufous-yellow tinge than the adults. 
