CREEPERS. 
11 
The Tree Creeper does not possess the muscular 
power in its feet which is observed in the Nuthatch, 
and its body is therefore supported by the sharply 
hooked front claws, and requires to be further propped 
up by its tail, the stiff pointed feathers of which, 
hitching upon every inequality, furnish, in conjunc- 
tion with the toes, a very efficient support for so light 
a creature, but a support which can only be available 
in an ascending direction. This species is indeed so 
very light, that being held up in great measure by the 
tail, as it creeps up the perpendicular bole of a tree, 
there is hardly sufficient pressure upon the foot to 
cause much contraction of the toes, and it is only 
when on the under surface of a horizontal bough, with 
its nadir uppermost, that the whole weight of the 
bird hangs by the feet ; and the tendons of its legs 
are so admirably constructed, that the greater pull 
there is thus upon them the more closely do the toes 
contract, and the firmer therefore is their hold, so the 
bird is thus able to creep with its back downwards, 
with little or no muscular exertion.* 
The Creeper is incapable of excavating a hole for 
the purpose of nidification, but usually occupies one 
in some decayed tree, often within two or three feet 
of the ground, making a nest of grass and the dry 
inner bark, loosely put together, and lined with feathers. 
The eggs vary in number from seven to nine, and are 
white, speckled with reddish-brown. The male bird 
is said to have a song during the spring months, and 
even in fine weather during the winter, which it utters 
on alighting on a tree, and sometimes whilst creeping 
up a branch. The song is stated to be a faint trill, 
* British Cyclopsedia, 
