CERTHIA, 557 
Famity CERTHIIDAZ.—Tue Creepers, (Page 322.) 
Genera. 
(Characters same as those given for the Family)....... Certhia. (Page 557.) 
Grnus CERTHIA Linnavus. (Page 557, pl. CXXILI,, fig. 6.) 
Species. 
Common CuHaractEers.—Above brownish, streaked with paler, the rump plain 
rusty or fulvous; tail-feathers light grayish brown, with a darker mesial stripe; a 
broad bar or band of pale rusty, buffy, or whitish across both webs of quills and 
secondaries, the wing with various other light markings; a white superciliary 
stripe; lower parts plain whitish, the under tail-coverts usually more or less buffy ; 
length about 4.80-5.50. -MNest behind loosened bark or similar cavities about dead 
tree-trunks or stumps, composed of felted materials, soft feathers, etc. Eggs 5-9, 
about .60 x .48, white or creamy white, speckled or spotted, chiefly on or round 
larger end, with reddish brown. 
a, Lower parts white, without grayish tinge (unless adventitiously stained or 
soiled); primary coverts distinctly tipped with whitish (except very rarely 
in Pacific coast specimens); rump tawny, and colors paler throughout; 
length 5.00-5.75, wing 2.40-2.70, tail 2.30-2.90, culmen .60-.82, tarsus .55-.65, 
hind-claw .28-.35. Hab. Whole of North America, in wooded districts, down 
to southern border of United States, but breeding only from northern border 
of United States northward, except in higher mountains. 
726. C. familiaris americana (Bonap.). Brown Creeper.’ 
1 With nearly one hundred and fifty specimens now before'me, I have no difficulty in recognizing very de- 
cided constant differences in colors and proportions according to region, my separation of the North American 
bird into three geographical races, besides that peculiar to Mexico and Guatemala (see Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. v. 
1882, pp. 111-116), being thus fully justified by the evidence of abundant additional material. Orie of these 
races (C. familiaria occidentalis) differs quite as much from the typical (eastern) bird as does the Mexican 
form, to which it cannot be referred; while the other, although less distinct in plumage, is sufficiently different 
in its proportions for recognition as a geographical race. The characters of the three races may be expressed 
as follows : 
al, Lighter and more grayish in general cast of plumage, the lateral lower parts scarcely, if at all, tinged with 
brown, the streaks on upper parts clearer whitish or pale grayish, the rump more tawny, superciliary 
stripe more decidedly whitish, and wing-markings whitish or pale buffy. 
b1, Browner above, with tawny of rump less distinctly contrasted with color of back; bill shorter and 
stouter, and wing and tail shorter; wing 2.40-2.70 (2.53), tail 2.50-2.90 (2.63), culmen .60-.70 
(.66), bill from nostril .35-.47 (.39), tarsus .55-.60 (.59), hind-toe .27-.32 (.29), hind-claw .28-.35 
(.31). Eggs 60.48. Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from northern border of United 
States northward......... sghdeenn seve Sasusisie 726. C. familiaris americana (Bonar.). Brown Creeper. 
22, Grayer above, with tawny of rump more distinctly contrasted with color of back; bill longer and 
slenderer, and wings and tail longer; wing 2.50-2.65 (2.56), tail 2.65-2.75 (2.71), culmen .70-.82 
