190 WALL CIIEEPEK. 



the bill rather long in proportion to the bird, sleri-^ 

 der, slightly curved, and of a black colour, as are 

 likewise the legs. The male is distinguished from 

 the female by a broad longitudinal black stripe on 

 the throat. 



The Wall Creeper is considered as one of the 

 rarer European birds^ and its principal residence 

 seems to be in Italy and Spain, where it is ob- 

 served to frequent ruins, creeping about the walls 

 of old buildings, &c. in quest of insects, and parti- 

 cularly spiders. It is of a solitary disposition, as- 

 sociating only with its mate, and has a loud, but 

 not unpleasing note. According to Aldrovandus 

 it is not uncommon in the territory of Bologna in 

 Italy, flying in the manner of a Hoopoe ; almost 

 always shaking its wings like that bird; never 

 resting long in a place, and building in the holes 

 of walls. 



The best figures of this species are those of Bris- 

 son and the Planches Enluminees. 



