150 
PICJE. 
GENUS 29. 
CERTHIA— CREEPER. 
Gmelin enumerates seventy-seven spe- 
cies (besides varieties) belonging to this 
genus; the distinguishing characters of 
which are — 
Bill; arched, slender, somewhat trian- 
gular, pointed. 
Tongue; various, generally pointed. 
Feet ; formed for walking. 
This tribe of birds appears to be dis- 
persed through most countries of the 
habitable globe. They feed chiefly on 
insects, in search of which they creep 
very nimbly about trees, both ascending 
and descending, both on the upper and 
under side of the branches; they run 
swiftly along beams, clasping the edges 
with their little feet; breed in hollow 
trees, and lay numerous eggs; their 
nostrils are small, tail-feathers twelve in 
