275 
726, Certhia familiaris americana (Bonap.). [55.] Brown Creeper. 
Breeds chiefly along our northern border. The migratory movements 
of this species are peculiar. Dr. Coues says that it is “almost station- 
ary,” aud yet there is probably no individual of the species that re- 
mains in the same latitude the whole year, while it is true that a few 
individuals may be found far north in winter and an equal number far 
south in suinmer. ‘The bulk of the species migrates with more or less 
regularity. In 18838 it was found wintering ‘in Indian Territory, 
Missouri, Kansas, southern Wisconsin, and “very rarely” in southern 
Dakota. In previous years it has been found wintering up to latitude 
45°, but beyond that point none of the Mississippi Valley observers 
have noted if in winter. During cold weather it remains among the 
heaviest timber, and hence would be seen by very few of the observers, 
but during its migration it can be found almost anywhere. From the 
fact that a few individuals wiutered all along the Mississippi Valley, it 
is very difficult to trace its spring movements with accuracy. Dr. 
Coues implies that it breeds throughout its range, but instances of its 
breeding south of latitude 41° must be very rare. Indeed there is no 
such case recorded from the whole State of Illinois, and all observers 
south of latitude 41° agree in calling it either a winter resident or a 
transient visitor. Mr. T. M. Trippe, in a contribution on the “ Birds of 
Colorado,” which appeared in Coues’s *‘ Birds of the Northwest,” stated 
(p. 230): 
Abundant during the winter, from 7,000 feet up to 9,000 feet, and probably ranging 
considerably higher and lower. Breeds sparingly in the upper woods, within a few 
hundred feet of timber-line, Appears at Idaho late in the fall, and becomes very com- 
mon as soon as the weather becomes cold, great numbers coming in from other re- 
gions. 
There seems to be little doubt that the bulk of the species breeds in 
the heavy forests along our northern boundary, and for a considerable 
distance beyond. The spring migration in 1884 began about the middle 
of March, and was at its height from April 10 to April 20, at which date 
the species was found migrating over all the northern half of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley and in British America. It arrived at Oak Point, Mani- 
toba, April 17. The migration was completed south of Jatitude 45° 
about the 1st of May. 
Iu the fall of 1884 the Brown Creeper was reported ‘as reaching Elk 
River, Minnesota, September 25, where it was last seen October 17. It 
was first reported from Des Moines, Iowa, November 8; and last from 
Mount Carmel, Mo., September 21. 
In the spring of 1885 there was no regularity in the reports of the 
northward migration of the Brown Creeper. The records extend from 
April 1 at Saint Louis, Mo., to April 15 at Elk River, Minnesota. The 
last was seen at Saint Louis April 26, which is a later date than it was 
reported from any other station. 
In the fall of 1885 the nine records of migration received were irregu- 
