CHAPTER VIII.— CREEPERS 



Fam. CERTHIIDtE 



THIS is a small, well-deflaed group, of four or five genera 

 and about a dozen species, usually divided into two sub- 

 families. One of these is the Tiohodromince, represented by the 

 European Wall Creeper, Tlohodroma muraria, and some species 

 of the chiefly Australian genus Giinmcteris. The other is the 



Subfamily CERTHIIN^E : TmciL Creepers 



These are represented by the genus Gerthia, and one or two 

 others ; they are confined to the Old World, with the exception 

 of a single species of the typical 



Genus CEETHIA Linnseus 



Chars.— Adaptation to scansorial habits by the structure 

 of the tail and feet. Tail long and strong, formed of 13 rigid, 

 acuminate feathers graduated in length ; the shafts are stout, 

 curved and elastic, the points extremely acute, and the whole 

 structure of the feathers closely resembles that seen in the Wood- 

 pecker family. Tarsus scutellate, shorter than the middle toe 

 and claw ; anterior toes connate at base for the length of the 

 Ist joint of the middle one. Lateral toes unequal in length, the 

 inner being much shorter than the outer. Hind toe shorter 

 than its claw. Claws strong, much curved, very sharp, the 

 hinder one of great size ; 

 wing with 10 primaries, the 

 first not half as long as the 

 2d, which is shorter than 

 the 3d ; point of the wing 

 formed by the 3d-5th quills. 

 Bill about as long as the 

 head, extremely slender, 

 acute, curved ; nostrils ex- 

 posed, narrow, scaled. No 

 rictal vibrissse. 



The general economy of the Creepers is peculiar. 



Pig. 22. — Head, foot and tail-feather of the Creeper" 



Their 



