WALL CREEPER. 159 



rich crimson. Length six inches and a half; carpus to tip three 

 inches and three quarters; tarsus nine lines; hind toe and claw 

 one inch; beak one inch and one fifth. 



This beautiful bird, so well known to the alpine 

 traveller, is common in Switzerland, Spain, and Italy. 

 It is a southern bird, frequenting the rocky parts of 

 the warmer countries of Europe. It is found in France 

 and the south 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 Muhle 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. 



Tt does not appear 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 appears 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. 



Wherever it is seen, Avhether 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 upwards 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 



