TREE CREEPEK. 



LVSESSORES. CERTHIAD.E, 



SCANSORES. 



PLATE CXXXIX. 



TREE CREEPER. 

 Certhia familiaris. (Linn.) 



The Tree Creeper, or Common Creeper, as it is more 

 generally called, is a well-known species in Britain, is also 

 found in abundance in most parts of central Europe ; and in 

 Sweden, Norway, and Russia it is frequently met with 

 during the summer months. This bird must be considered 

 as migratory, arriving in March at the place where it breeds, 

 and departing in September or October for more sheltered 

 localities ; although with us they remain throughout the 

 year, wherever the locality suits them. They travel either 

 by themselves or in pairs, and often in company with the 

 titmice. 



The favourite locality of the Tree Creeper is a well 

 wooded country, and all descriptions of trees seem equally 

 suitable for it, whether pine, oak, elm, or willow, provided 

 they have attained a large size, and such as may be called 

 forest trees ; and, as rough-barked trees afford this bird most 

 employment, the stem of an old oak is a proper place to 

 look for it ; although the peculiar voice of the Tree Creeper 

 will more readily inform us where it may be found, than to 

 search for it from its appearance. The stem and larger 

 branches of the tree are the most usual habitats of the Tree 



Creeper, as, from the generally smooth surface of the smaller 



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