[Three Hundred Animals Contents]
MAKE a family of themselves. The Wall Creeper, or Spider Catcher, is bigger than a house-sparrow. He has a long, slender, black bill; the head, neck, and back, are of an ash colour; the breast white; the wings a compound of lead and red tint. He is a brisk and cheerful bird, and bas à pleasant note. He builds his nest in the holes of trees.
The Ox-Eye Creeper is scarce bigger than a wren. He has a long, slender, sharp bill. The throat, breast, and belly, are white; the head, back, and wings of a fox colour; the middle parts of the wings whitish; above the eyes, on each side, is a white spot. It is commonly seen in England, and builds in hollow trees. The smaller is the bird, in general, the greater number of eggs the female lays; the number of the Creeper’s eggs is sometimes above twenty. It is pleasant to see the Creepers climb up the stem of a tree, with the greatest agility, in search of those small creatures which, while feeding themselves on smaller ones, become the prey of these little birds.
