TREE CREEPER 57 
CERTHIA FAMILIARIS, Linn. TREE 
CREEPER, 
In the case of the Creeper, as of other species, it is 
doubtful whether it has really only recently established 
itself or merely been overlooked. 
The earliest record is that of Mr. J. C. Crellin, who took 
a specimen at Orrisdale in December 1882 (Trans. of Isle 
of Man Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. i. p. 16). It was again noted 
there in the spring of 1889 (Y. Z. M1, vol. i. pt. 11. p. 71), 
and in 1893 (vol. ii. p. 71). 
Mr. Kermode records it from Ramsey in January 1890, 
and in April of the same year Mr. M‘Whannell found a nest 
at Glenduff, Lezayre, ‘just a pad of moss placed between 
the trunk of a tree and the encircling ivy. It contained the 
empty shell of one of the eggs.’ Mr. Kermode continues: 
‘Since that date it has nested and been seen in the district 
every year, though in small numbers’ (Y. L. JZ, ii. 523). 
In the winter of 1894-95 two were killed at Pulrose, near 
Douglas. Mr. Kermode has one, perhaps of these, shot in 
the neighbourhood of that town, 5th January 1895, and 
Mr. G. Adams tells me that it is permanently resident 
about the Nunnery plantations. - 
On 28th May 1902 Mr. Crellin found a nest at Balla- 
churry, Andreas, between his meat-safe and the wall of the 
house. The young were nearly full-grown and left the 
nest a few days later. In April 1903 he again found a nest 
in course of construction in the same spot, and a brood was 
again safely hatched (Y. Z. M. Reports), and again in 1904 
(op. cit.), while other nests seem to have been commenced, 
one in the coachhouse between the frame of the door and 
the wall. — | 7 
In April 1903 Mr. Graves and I noticed the Creeper 
