"WALL CREEPER. 
1.59 
ricli crimson. Length six indies and a half; carpns to tip tiirce 
inches and three quarters; tarsus nine lines; hind toe and claw 
one inch; beak one inch and one fifth. 
This beautiful bird, so Avell known to the alpine 
traveller, is common in Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. 
It is a soutliern bird, frequenting tire rocky parts of 
tlie warmer countries of Europe. It is found in France 
and tire soutli of Germany, and is not rare in the 
highest Alps in the Tyrol. It occurs also in Bohemia 
and Silesia, and is included by Count Miihle among 
the birds of Greece, and hence it ranges to India, 
being mentioned by Dr. Leith Adams as occurring in 
Cashmere, by the sides of rivers and streams in rocky 
and precipitous places. 
It does not ajipear ever in flocks anywhere, being 
generally found solitary or in pairs. When the rough 
weather of autumn sets in, it is driven from the high 
mountains, and ajipears about the valleys and mountain 
towns during the winter months. In the spring it 
again gradually mounts up until it settles for breeding 
purposes among the highest rocks of the mountain top. 
AITierever it is seen, whether in mountain, or valley, 
or town, it is always found among rocks, running up 
and down their perpendicular faces, and peering into 
every nook, cranny, or cleft for its insect food. 
In its habits the Wall very much resembles the Tree 
Creeper, being lively, restless, and shy on the approach 
of man. It clings with great tenacity to perpendicular 
or horizontal rocks. It runs ujiwards with great dex- 
terity, but does not, like the Woodpecker, run down- 
wards. After a short rest it flies down from the top 
of even the highest towers, and then re-commences its 
upward ramble. It does not appear to use its tail as 
