84 
CERTH10LA FLA VEOLA. 
the Shrike by his more erect carriage while sitting, and stouter, shorter form while flying. The 
Loggerhead breeds in Florida in the latter part of April, and I have taken the newly fledged 
young about the 15th of May. 
FAMILY XIII. CCEREBID2E. THE HONEY CREEPERS. 
Bill, not notched, equal in length to the head and very acuminate, with both mandibles considerably arched. Tongue 
thin and horny, cleft for one-third of its terminal length; while the tip is provided with long delicate cilia, which extend 
along the sides. 
The position of this family is doubtful, but I have placed it near the Tanagridce, as presenting some characters 
which are similar to those of that family. I have never seen a sternum of any of the species, and therefore cannot 
judge whether they are similar to those of the succeeding family. The tongues are peculiar, being pencillate and 
quite different from those of any other birds that I have examined. 
GENUS I. CERTHIOLA. THE YELLOW-RUMPED CREEPER. 
Gen. Ch. Wings, long. Tail, short. Feet, large. 
CERTHIOLA FLAVEOLA. 
Yellow-rumped Creeper. 
“ Certhiola flaveola Sundevall, 1835;” Gosse, Birds of Jamaica, 1847, 84. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, slender. Size, small. Bill, moderately long. 
Color. Adult. Above, dark plumbeous. Spot on the base of tail ar.d tips of tail feathers, exceptirg the two 
central, white. Chin and throat dark ash. Under wing coverts, axillaries, under tail and superciliary stripe, 
white. Remaining under parts bright yellow, which become green on the abdomen and flanks. 
Young. Lighter above than the adult, and with the tertiaries and secondaries narrowly tipped with white. 
Throat, white in place of dark ash, while the flanks and abdomen are dirty white. Bill and feet black in all stages. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Readily known from any other species by the above description. I have no specimens marked for sex, but judge 
that the female is similar to the male. A native of the West Indies; but a single instance on record of its being 
taken in Elorida; this one was found by Dr. Wurdeman on Indian Key, Jan. 31, 1858. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Two specimens in my collection measure as follows ;—No. 942, taken by Dr. Bryant; Length, 4-50; wing, 2-50; tail, 
1-60; bill, -62; tarsus, -75. A specimen from St. Thomas measures:—Length, 4-45; wing, 2-25; tail, 1-40; bill, '50; 
tarsus, -60. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, dome-shaped, composed of bits of palm leaves and dried grasses lined with fine grasses. Dimensions : 
external diameter, 6 inches, internal, 3. 
Eggs, four in number, roundish-oval in form, white in color, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown. 
HABITS. 
Probably every American ornithologist is familiar with the Dame of Indian Key, for nearly 
every naturalist who has visited this section of the country has labelled many of his specimens 
as coming from this spot. Therefore through reading about the numerous birds that were said 
to have been taken there, 1 came to look upon the place as a wonderful collecting ground, and 
was quite anxious to see it. About four o’clock in the afternoon of January 4, 1871, this desire 
was gratified, for I found myself ofl' the island on board a little coasting vessel which carries the 
mail between Key West and Miami. The wind being ahead the captain decided not to go any 
