5A The Tree-creeper. 
never settling on the ground: orchards are very favourite 
places for these birds. In the spring of the year there 
you may see them creeping up the trunks or arms of . 
the rough wood in a winding manner, stopping here 
and there to clear small insects off the outside. The 
Tree-creeper cannot rap as the nuthatch does to 
frighten its food, and by that means make it start 
from its lurking-place, or peck away the wood where 
there may bea concealed worm, as its bill is not strong 
enough to enable it to do so. The windings round the 
bodies and arms of trees are performed with great 
ease; and it is very amusing to see it come in sight a 
little farther up the stem, when only a few seconds 
ago it vanished some feet lower down. Its climbing 
is just the same whether the way lies in an oblique, 
perpendicular, or horizontal line ; it is quite indifferent 
whether it climbs sideways, or hangs with its back 
downwards, or travels with its tail towards the ground. 
Arrived at last to the smaller parts of the tree, where 
it is not likely to find any more support, it takes a short 
flight, generally alighting within a foot or two of the | 
sround at the base of another tree, where it begins a 
new search for its sustenance. The tail of this bird 
is well made to help its progress; the feathers being 
