COMMON CREEPER. 
363 
sound the bird will be seen scaling the trunk or 
branch of some neighbouring tree, while the least 
noise on the part of the observer will cause it to jerk 
round to the opposite side, pursuing its way in con- 
cealment, and occasionally just coming so far round 
as to gain a view and ascertain if the cause of alarm 
is still present. Having gained the summit or 
termination of the branch, it suddenly and swiftly 
falls as it were to the root of some other tree, 
and again commences its twisting course upwards, 
in its way searching the moss and cracks in the 
bark for insects, which constitute its sole food. 
The nest is formed in the hole or rent of a tree, 
is formed of moss and fine grasses or roots, 
lined with feathers, and we have sometimes seen 
the fabric of considerable bulk when the bottom 
of a rent had to be filled up ; we have reason to 
believe also, that a hole in a wall is sometimes 
selected where the situation is otherwise suitable ; 
and we once knew the nest placed in a stack of 
peat or turf dried for fuel. At this time, the birds 
are more than usually noisy, uttering their shrill 
cry frequently, and quickly repeated. The fe- 
male, while hatching, sits remarkably close, and 
will not leave the nest or hole when the intruder 
is near, but will watch an opportunity, and dart 
silently off, when he removes to a little dis- 
tance, or keeps from sight. 
In Europe, it is generally distributed, and orni- 
thologists have hitherto considered the bird of 
America as identical. The Prince of Musignano, 
however, has placed it distinct in his last com- 
