586 
SLENDER-BILLED BIRDS. 
leisurely upwards or downwards, in straight or spiral lines 
towards the top of the tree, dodging dexterously to the 
opposite side from the observer, and only resuming his 
occupation when assured of solitude and safety. Though 
they live chiefly on insects, they also, according to Wil- 
son, collect the seeds of the pine for food, and are partic- 
ularly fond of the vermin which prey on those kinds of 
trees. In the thick forests which they inhabit, in the 
Northern and Western States, about the middle of April, 
they commence their nest in the hollow trunk or branch 
of a tree, which has been exposed to decay by injury or 
accident. Here, in the accidental cavities or deserted 
holes of the Squirrel or Woodpecker, the Creeper depos- 
its her eggs, to the number of 7 or more, of a dull cinere- 
ous, marked with small dots of reddish-yellow, and streaks 
of dark brown. (According to Temminck, the eggs of 
the European bird are pure white, scattered with numer- 
ous pale and darker spots of ferruginous brown.) The 
young creep about with great caution previous to taking 
to their wings. 
Length 5 inches, alar extent 7. Tail, as long as the body, of a pale 
drab, with the inner webs dusky, the extremity of each sharp, rigid, 
and attenuated to a point, in the manner of the Woodpeckers. Eyes 
hazel. Legs and feet dirty clay-color. 
Family. — ANTHOMYZI. Vieill. Bonajp. 
The bill long or moderate, slender, entire, acute, or tubular at the 
point; the tongue long, slender, and extensile. Feet short, or mod- 
erate, and slender. Tail of 10 or 12 feathers. 
The moult semi-annual ; with the plumage usually brilliant. They 
feed principally on the honeyed sweets of flowers, which they ex- 
tract with their long and extensible tongues ; some also add small 
insects to their fare. The nest is often constructed with much art, 
and they raise several broods in the season. The voice is scarcely 
audible. 
