74 OUR WINTER BIRDS 



back to the bottom. Then he had to begin again. 



So the Creeper appears constantly to be working 

 at some task he never can finish. He is persistent 

 and faithful, but fate seems against him. He spends 

 his life trying to climb trees, but when he reaches the 

 first branches he slips and falls and has to start from 

 the bottom again. 



This view of his place in nature would doubtless 



The Brown Creeper's Probe-like Bill and Pointed Stiffenh) 

 Tail-feathers 



surprise the Creeper. His measure of success 

 would probably be found in the numbers of insects, 

 eggs and larvae his patient gleaning discovers; and 

 when we see how well his stiff tail and curved bill fit 

 him to pursue his special calling, we cannot doubt 

 that he is one of the most valuable guardians of the 

 bark. 



The Creeper is as uncommunicative as he is dili- 

 gent. A faint, thin, high screeping is the only note 

 we shall hear from him in winter, but in late 

 spring he has a short song of four notes which 



