PERCHING BIRDS. 
Old World, only three of the sixty odd species being found in this 
country. Our Pipit or Titlark is our best known, most widely distrib- 
uted species. 
Like other members of its family it has the habit of wagging or tip- 
ping its tail both when walking (for it should be noted that these birds 
are ground-inhabiting and walkers) and at rest. 
The Dippers (Family Ciuclidz) though numbering only twelve 
species are distributed throughout the larger part of the, world from 
the Andes of South America to the mountains of Alaska, Europe, Asia 
and Africa. 
- Everywhere they are haunters of streams, usually dashing mountain 
torrents, over and wnder which they seem equally at home. Darting 
into the rushing waters they fly beneath the surface or feed on the 
bottom with perfect ease, their thick, dense plumage evidently forming 
a waterproof covering. Their nests are great balls of moss often 
placed so near some boiling cascade as to receive frequent showers of 
spray. The opening, however, is at the side, and the eggs and young 
are well protected by an effective roof. 
The Wrens, Thrashers, and Mockingbirds, (Family Zyeglodytide) 
form two well defined subfamilies. The Wrens, (Subfamily 7Zroglody- 
ting) number about one hundred and fifty species all but a dozen of 
which are confined to America. The. Thrashers and Mockingbirds, 
(Subfamily Aiming) number some fifty species, all of which are con- 
fined to America. 
As their dull, neutral colors would lead us to suppose, both Wrens 
and Thrashers are inhabitants of the lower growth rather than of the 
tree-tops, and while they may seek an elevated perch whence to deliver 
their song, their food is secured and their time consequently largely - 
passed near or on the ground. 
Few families of birds contain so many noted musicians, nearly every 
member of this family being a singer of more than usual ability. 
The Creepers, (Family Certhdid~) number twelve species, only 
one of which is found in America. This, however has a wide range 
and, presenting more or less climatic variation in color, is recognized 
under several subspecific names. Its habits, nevertheless, are much 
the same everywhere. It climbs the trees of the mountains of Mexico 
or of'California with the same ceaseless energy it shows in Maine. 
The sharply-pointed, stiffened tail-feathers of the Creeper are of 
evident use to it as it ascends trees and pauses here and there to pick 
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