BIRDS—CERTHIADAE—CERTHIA AMERICANA. 
373 
tips are seen to be pale fulvous, with a continuous dark line rnnning along tbe tips. The two 
outer primaries are unicolor ; tbe rest liave the band of fulvous white on the middle across both 
webs ; and there is a similar band on the secondaries, the line continuous in the outstretched 
wings. There are also two bands of white across the coverts. 
The female is quite similar to the male, and I have not seen any American specimens with 
the strong rufous tinge above, indicated by Audubon. The under parts, excepting the tail 
coverts, are, in perfect specimens, nearly pure white, with, perhaps, a faint tinge on the breast; 
in No. 1337, however, the body is strongly plumbeous white beneath. 
The tail in 827, from Carlisle, is considerably longer than in any other American specimens 
I have seen, even from the same locality. 
There appears to be very little difference between the American creeper and the European 
G. familiar is, although I have not at hand the means of making the comparison. Reichenbach, 
in his carefully prepared monograph of the genus Certhia, (Handbuch Speciellen Ornithologie, 
I, 265,) gives nothing tangible on the subject, although referring the American form to Brehm’s 
sub-species, C. septentrionalis. 
Young birds from Washington Territory, 5945 and 7132, are like the adult, with the 
markings less distinct. 
A Certhia from Mexico (8176) differs from Carlisle specimens in being darker above, the 
rufous of the rump considerably deeper and of a brownish orange shade. The light bars on the 
wings are narrower and less prominent. The under parts are of a duller white; the 
throat is similar. The bill is considerably longer, but shorter than in 7154, from New Mexico, 
which again is lighter above. No. 10208, from Fort Tejon, is, however, precisely identical in 
all these features. All the west coast specimens agree in rather darker colors above and a 
darker rufous on the rump, intermediate in this respect, as well as in length of bill, between 
8176 or 10208 and Pennsylvania skins. I can hardly see good grounds, however, for making a 
second species with the insensible gradaiions visible in the series. The peculiarities of color 
correspond to those of Certhia mexicana of Gfloger, which is said to be .darker than the common 
species, but is also said to be smaller, which is not the case with western skins, and the bill is 
absolutely longer, instead of shorter, as indicated by Reichenbach’s measurements. 
List of specimens , 
Catal. 
No. 
Sex & 
age. 
Locality. 
When 
collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Orig. 
0 . 
Collected by— 
Length. 
Stretch 
of wings. 
Wing. 
827 
<? 
Carlisle, Pa_ 
Oct. 22,1842 
S. F. Baird. 
5. 41 
7 83 
2 58 
1337 
2 
April 5,1844 
5. 00 
7 58 
2 50 
1767 
Jan.—, 1845 
_do __ 
5.25 
7.58 
2. 50 
West Northfleld, Ill.. 
April 18_ 
R. Kennicott_ 
7152 
o 
Fort Steilacoom, W. T. 
Aug. 2,1856 
Dr. Suckley_ 
514 
7156 
256 
7125 
5945 1 
O 
Dr. Cooper_ 
5. 00 
7. 00 
7155 
369 
7153 
s 
Sacramento valley_ 
Lt. Williamson.. 
Dr. Heermann .. 
10208 
Fort Tejon._ 
J. X. do Yesey.. 
7154 
Pueblo creek, N. M... 
Jan.22,1854 
Lt. Whipple_ 
47 
Kenn. and Moll. 
8176 
Mexico___ 
J. Gould.. 
- 
1 Feet white; Iris and bill, blown. 
