153 
tree, which nest is composed of dry grass 
and the inner parts of bark, loosely put to- 
gether, and lined with feathers. Pennant 
says that it lays twenty eggs, but we have 
no doubt that this is an error. From six 
to eight is the utmost number. These eggs 
are white, minutely speckled with bright 
;rust-colour. During the time of incuba- 
tion the male is very assiduous in supply- 
ing her with food. The note of the Cree- 
per is monotonous and weak, several times 
repeated, but it is rarely heard in winter. 
Its food consists entirely of Insects and 
their larvae, in search of which it appears 
to be constantly employed; and it is most 
probable that this little species have the 
faculty of casting up the more indigesti- 
ble parts of their food in small pellets, af- 
ter the manner of the Falcons, as such 
refuse may frequently be found in the vi- 
cinity of their nests. 
This bird is very frequent in this country, 
and may constantly be found in most or- 
chards, or in woods containing Oaks, but it 
soon escapes observation from the facility it 
is endowed with, of running upon the bark. 
w 
