50 On the Ornithology of Wilts \_Certhiadce]. 



peculiarly soft and free from bristles: like the last they live entirely 

 among the trees, feeding on the seeds, fruits, and insects which 

 they find there. 



" Common Creeper" (Certhia familiaris) . This is the most 

 elegant and delicate little bird we have, and it is very common, 

 living with us all the year round, but coming to our notice most 

 frequently in the winter, when the trees are bare of foliage, and 

 most of the smaller birds have left us : then it may be seen 

 creeping like a mouse up and down the bole of a tree, or searching 

 for its insect food among the rough logs in a wood yard. Next to 

 the Golden-crested Wren it is the smallest British bird, and the 

 most graceful in form, with a long slender curved beak, a very 

 diminutive elegant body, plumage brown above and white below, 

 and a stiff sharp-pointed tail bending downwards, and supporting 

 it in its climbings, after the manner of that of the Woodpecker. 

 Its note is a gentle monotonous chirp, which it continues to repeat 

 during its incessant rambles on the stems and branches of the 

 trees ; for it is one of the most restless of birds, never still for an 

 instant, and a most expert and indefatigable climber, its long claws 

 well curved and strong, enabling it to cling to the rough bark, at what- 

 ever angle the branch may be, whether vertical, horizontal, or 

 oblique. 



" Wren " (Troglodytes vulgaris). This is a general favorite : its 

 diminutive size, but pert aspect, its boldness and familiarity in 

 winter (for it never leaves us), its full rich song and engaging 

 manners, all bespeaking our protection : in colour it is reddish 

 brown, well mottled and speckled with various shades, but its most 

 striking peculiarity is the erect position of its tail, which gives it 

 a very jaunty appearance. Some authors have placed it among 

 the warblers, but its long tapering arched beak, long curved claws, 

 short rounded wings and soft plumage seem to point it out as a 

 true creeper : moreover, though not essentially a climber, it clings 

 with apparent ease to perpendicular surfaces sideways, and is often 

 seen on the trunks as well as branches of trees : it also frequents 

 walls and rocks, as well as banks and ditches, and its food consists 

 of insects, seeds, and soft fruits. Many people are not aware of the 



