THE TREE-CREEPER FAMILY 273 
about twelve broad stripes of dull gray, and between the two 
colors the striations of bark are surprisingly well imitated. 
On the side of an oak, or elm, or chestnut, this little bird is 
almost invisible until it moves. It does not work head down- 
BROWN CREEPER. 
ward, like the nuthatch, but creeps about with its head up, 
braced by its tail, like a woodpecker. Like both the pre- 
ceding species, it is a winter resident, and in fact is not much 
in evidence at any other season. The four species of this 
group cover the United States, and extend from Alaska to 
Guatemala. 
