The Tree-Creeper 

 THE TREE-CREEPER 



Certhia familiaris, Linnaeus 



The Tree-Creeper is a common species, but from its quiet 

 ways and dull colour seldom noticed. It is with us the whole 

 year, spending its time in an unceasing search for small 

 insects on the bark of trees. In its habits and food it is not 

 unlike the Woodpeckers, climbing up with a series of jerks, 

 and, when observed, shifting at once to the far side of the tree. 



It has a short but pleasing little song, which is not 

 often heard, and the call-note is a low and plaintive " cheep." 

 It is solitary in habits, and more than one are seldom seen 

 together, except in the breeding season. The nest is placed 

 behind a piece of loose bark and is merely an accumulation 

 of roots, grass, and moss, with a lining of wool and feathers. 

 The eggs are white, minutely spotted with reddish. 



The sexes are alike and have the feathers of the upper parts 

 dark brown with pale centres, becoming lighter on the rump ; 

 under parts, silvery white. Flight feathers dark brown, 

 barred with buffish white. Tail feathers stiff and pointed 

 and dull reddish brown in colour. Length 4'75 in.; 

 wing 2 - 5 in. 



It is common and abundant throughout our islands. 



THE WALL-CREEPER 



Tichodroma muraria (Linnaeus) 



Very few examples of this species, whose home is in the 

 mountainous regions of Europe, have occurred in these 



85 



