CHEEPER.
Y GREPIANOG, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH.
TREE CREEPER. COMMON CREEPER. FAMILIAR GREBPEB.
TREE CUMBER*
Cerihia famiiiaris, PENNANT. MONTAGU.
Cetihia— ? Famiiiaris—Familiar, common.
THIS modest and retiring little bird, is, so to speak, neither common
nor uncommon. Even where it is to be seen, it often is not seen, for,
not only is its dress of a sober and unpretending character, bearing
resemblance, likewise, as is the case with many of nature's animate
works, to the less highly-organized substances on which it plays its part,
but, it also, more shy apparently than fearful, shuns observation, and,
on coming within the range of your glance, withdraws at once from
sight. By watching for its return, you will often again catch a glimpse
of it, but, frequently, hid by the tree, it flics off to some neighbouring
one, on which you next see it. If your attention is attracted by its
weak note repeated at short intervals, ' on following the sound the bird
will he seen scaling the trunk or branch of some neighbouring tree,
while the least noise on the part of the observer will cause it to turn
round to the opposite side, pursuing its way in concealment, and occasionally
just coming so far round as to gain a view, and ascertain if
the cause of alarm is still present. Having gained the summit or
termination of the branch, it suddenly and swiftly falls as it were to
the root, of some other tree, and again commences its twirling course
upwards. It is more frequently detected by its note than by its
appearance.
It occurs in Scotland and the 'sister island.'
It is found plentifully throughout Europe; as far north as RtRffli,
Norway, Denmark, and Sweden; and southwards, in Germany and Italy.
VOL. II. D