82 



ZOOLOGY, 



ceding genus; toes divided to their base ; /(^e^ formed 

 1 for walking ; cuneated. 



This genus is nearly allied to the last, with which it agrees 

 in habits, oeconomy, and the species are generally confined 

 to the same countries. 



32. Certhia. Creeper. Bill slender, much curved, slightly 

 triangular, sharp-pointed ; tongue in some species 

 entire, in others fringed or bifid ; toes three forward, 

 one backward ; claims long and much curved ; tail com- 

 posed of twelve harsh, sharp-pointed feathers ; feet 

 formed for walking or climbing. 



The Creepers are a numerous family, abounding in the 

 />varmer parts of Asia, Africa, and America ; many of them 

 vie in brilliancy with the Hamming Birds, from which they 

 are principally distinguishable by the form of their tongues. 

 They have obtained the name of Creeper, from the facility 

 with which they creep up and down the trunks of trees, in 

 search of insects, which constitute their general food ; they 

 are very shy, and are confined to forests and woods ; 

 only one species, the {C. familiar is) Common Creeper, is 

 found in Europe, and that very commonly in this country. 

 (See British Ornithology^ vol. 1. 



33. Trochilus. HuMMiNG-BiRD. Bill longer than the head, 

 subulate, cylindrical, upper mandible extending over 

 the sides of the lower one : tongue tubular, filliform, 

 divided at the tip, into two worm-like threads, which 

 coalese at the basej feet formed for walking and 



