CHEEPER. 
243 
IN'S ESS ORES. 
SCANSORES. 
CERT HI A DJI. 
CREEPER. 
Certhia familiaris. 
PLATE LXIT. FIG. II. 
The eggs of the Creeper resemble almost as closely 
those of the blue and marsh titmouse, as some of the 
eggs of the nuthatch do those of the greater titmouse; 
they are, however, usually rather longer in proportion to 
their breadth, and have the spots more concentrated at 
the larger end : if mixed with eggs of the titmouse, and 
even with some of those of the willow-wren, it would be 
very uncertain work to separate them. 
The Creeper builds in holes of trees, in such places as 
those out of which a branch has been torn, or where the 
bark protrudes from the tree, leaving sufficient room be¬ 
hind it. White mentions a nest which was built against 
a house-end, behind some loose plaster. 
The nest is formed of dry grass and bits of moss, very 
loosely put together, and lined with feathers. Mr. Yarrell 
thus describes one of which he has added a drawing in 
his work. “ It is formed, on the outer surface, with small 
twigs, within which there is a thick layer of fine grass, 
mixed up and lined with black wool and a few small 
dark-coloured feathers.” 
The Creeper breeds early, and lays from six to nine eggs- 
n 2 
