A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
591 
At a distance this Creeper moves and looks like a mouse in 
feathers, but close at hand it will be seen that it has beautifully- 
marked plumage, a fine, curved, needlelike bill, and that the 
feathers of the tail, which he spreads like a bracket to support 
himself when at rest, end in sharp points, that give it a firm 
grip. 
On a mild winter day, when the top sash was lowered, one 
of these Creepers flew into my room and clung to a picture 
frame, so that I had a good chance to examine it, and, though 
it was there but a few moments, its bright eyes saw some small 
insect, probably a spider, in a picture cord, which it quickly 
snapped up. 
THE LITTLE BROWN CREEPER 
“ Although I’m a bird, I give you my word 
That seldom you’ll know me to fly; 
For I have a notion about locomotion, 
The little Brown Creeper am I, 
Dear little Brown Creeper am I. 
“ Beginning below, I search as I go 
The trunk and the limbs of a tree. 
For a fly or a slug, a beetle or bug; 
They’re better than candy for me, 
Far better than candy for me. 
“ When people are nigh I’m apt to be shy, 
And say to myself, ‘ I will hide,’ 
Continue my creeping, but carefully keeping 
Away on the opposite side, 
Well around on the opposite side. 
“Yet sometimes I peek while I play hide and seek, 
If you’re nice I shall wish to see you ; 
I’ll make a faint sound and come quite around, 
And creep like a mouse in full view, 
Very much like a mouse to your view.” 
— Garrett Newkirk in Bird-Lore 
Family Troglodytidae: Wrens, Thrashers, Catbirds, Etc. 
Catbird: Galeoscoptes carolinensis. S. R. 
Length: 8.50-9 inches. 
Male and Female: Above clear, deep slate. Under parts lighter gray. 
Crown and tail black. Vent rust-red. Bill and feet black. 
Ed. — 38 
