388 SINGING BIRDS, 
States about the middle of April, it commences the nest in the 
hollow trunk or branch of a tree which has been exposed to 
decay by injury or accident. Here in the accidental cavities 
or deserted holes of the squirrel or Woodpecker the Creeper 
deposits her eggs. The young creep about with great caution 
previous to taking to their wings. 
The Brown Creeper is a common bird in New England, though 
in the southern portions it is less numerous in the breeding season 
than during the colder months. It is common in Ontario and 
Quebec, but less abundant in the Maritime Provinces. An inter- 
esting account of the breeding habits of this bird, written by Mr. 
William Brewster, appeared in the Nuttall Bulletin for July, 1879. 
BAHAMA HONEY CREEPER. 
CERTHIOLA BAHAMENSIS. 
Cuar. Above, dark brown; rump yellow; stripe over eyes and under- 
parts dull white; breast and edge of wing pale yellow; tail broadly 
tipped with white. Length 4% inches. 
Vest. Ina low tree or bush; a large, pensile, dome-shaped structure, 
the entrance at the side ; made of weed-stems and grass, and lined with 
plant down. 
Eggs. 2-4; white, tinged with green and speckled with rufous: 0.65 
X 0.60. 
The home of this species is on the Bahamas, but it is found 
regularly along the southeastern coast of Florida. Mr. Gosse in 
his “Birds of Jamaica” gives an interesting account of its 
habits. He describes it as obtaining its food in much the same 
manner as Humming Birds, —by probing the flowers; but in- 
stead of hovering in front of a flower, the Creeper alights on the 
tree. When examining a flower for the insects which are at the 
bottom of the cup, the bird throws its body into a variety of posi- 
tions, sometimes with the back downward, the better to reach the 
interior of a blossom with its curved bill and peculiar tongue. The 
bird is unsuspecting and familiar, and freely resorts to the blossom- 
ing shrubs of a garden. 
